Ob receptor and methods for the diagnosis and treatment of body weight disorders, including obesity and cachexia

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to the discovery, identification and characterization of nucleotides that encode Ob receptor (ObR), a receptor protein that participates in mammalian body weight regulation. The invention encompasses obR nucleotides, host cell expression systems, ObR proteins, fusion proteins, polypeptides and peptides, antibodies to the receptor, transgenic animals that express an obR transgene, or recombinant knock-out animals that do not express the ObR, antagonists and agonists of the receptor, and other compounds that modulate obR gene expression or ObR activity that can be used for diagnosis, drug screening, clinical trial monitoring, and/or the treatment of body weight disorders, including but not limited to obesity, cachexia and anorexia.

Cross Reference To Related Applications

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/950,149, filed Sep. 10, 2001, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/069,781, filed Apr. 29, 1998, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,287,782, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/864,564, filed May 28, 1997, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/708,123, filed Sep. 3, 1996 issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,482,927, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/638,524, filed Apr. 26, 1996, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,548,269, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/599,455, filed Jan. 22, 1996, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 5,972,621, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/583,153, filed Dec. 28, 1995, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,506,877, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/570,142, filed Dec. 11, 1995, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,509,189, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/569,485, filed Dec. 8, 1995, now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/566,622, filed Dec. 4, 1995, now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/562,663, filed Nov. 27, 1995, now abandoned; all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

1. INTRODUCTION

The present invention relates to the discovery, identification and characterization of nucleotides that encode Ob receptor (ObR), a receptor protein that participates in mammalian body weight regulation. The invention encompasses obR nucleotides, host cell expression systems, ObR proteins, fusion proteins, polypeptides and peptides, antibodies to the receptor, transgenic animals that express an obR transgene, or recombinant knock-out animals that do not express the ObR, antagonists and agonists of the receptor, and other compounds that modulate obR gene expression or ObR activity that can be used for diagnosis, drug screening, clinical trial monitoring, and/or the treatment of body weight disorders, including but not limited to obesity, cachexia and anorexia.

2. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Obesity represents the most prevalent of body weight disorders, and it is the most important nutritional disorder in the western world, with estimates of its prevalence ranging from 30% to 50% within the middle-aged population. Other body weight disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa which together affect approximately 0.2% of the female population of the western world, also pose serious health threats. Further, such disorders as anorexia and cachexia (wasting) are also prominent features of other diseases such as cancer, cystic fibrosis, and AIDS.

Obesity, defined as an excess of body fat relative to lean body mass, also contributes to other diseases. For example, this disorder is responsible for increased incidences of diseases such as coronary artery disease, stroke, and diabetes. (See, e.g., Nishina, P. M. et al., 1994, Metab. 43:554-558.) Obesity is not merely a behavioral problem, i.e., the result of voluntary hyperphagia. Rather, the differential body composition observed between obese and normal subjects results from differences in both metabolism and neurologic/metabolic interactions. These differences seem to be, to some extent, due to differences in gene expression, and/or level of gene products or activity (Friedman, J. M. et al., 1991, Mammalian Gene 1:130-144).

The epidemiology of obesity strongly shows that the disorder exhibits inherited characteristics (Stunkard, 1990, N. Eng. J. Med. 322:1483). Moll et al. have reported that, in many populations, obesity seems to be controlled by a few genetic loci (Moll et al. 1991, Am. J. Hum. Gen. 49:1243). In addition, human twin studies strongly suggest a substantial genetic basis in the control of body weight, with estimates of heritability of 80-90% (Simopoulos, A. P. & Childs B., eds., 1989, In Genetic Variation and Nutrition in Obesity, World Review of Nutrition and Diabetes 63, S. Karger, Basel, Switzerland; Borjeson, M., 1976, Acta. Paediatr. Scand. 65:279-287).

Studies of non-obese persons who deliberately attempted to gain weight by systematically over-eating were found to be more resistant to such weight gain and able to maintain an elevated weight only by very high caloric intake. In contrast, spontaneously obese individuals are able to maintain their status with normal or only moderately elevated caloric intake. In addition, it is a commonplace experience in animal husbandry that different strains of swine, cattle, etc., have different predispositions to obesity. Studies of the genetics of human obesity and of models of animal obesity demonstrate that obesity results from complex defective regulation of both food intake, food induced energy expenditure and of the balance between lipid and lean body anabolism.

There are a number of genetic diseases in man and other species which feature obesity among their more prominent symptoms, along with, frequently, dysmorphic features and mental retardation. For example, Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) affects approximately 1 in 20,000 live births, and involves poor neonatal muscle tone, facial and genital deformities, and generally obesity.

In addition to PWS, many other pleiotropic syndromes which include obesity as a symptom have been characterized. These syndromes are more genetically straightforward, and appear to involve autosomal recessive alleles. The diseases, which include, among others, Ahlstroem, Carpenter, Bardet-Biedl, Cohen, and Morgagni-Stewart-Monel Syndromes.

A number of models exist for the study of obesity (see, e.g., Bray, G. A., 1992, Prog. Brain Res. 93:333-341, and Bray, G. A., 1989, Amer. J. Clin. Nutr. 5:891-902). For example, animals having mutations which lead to syndromes that include obesity symptoms have been identified, and attempts have been made to utilize such animals as models for the study of obesity. The best studied animal models, to date, for genetic obesity are mice models. For reviews, see for example, Friedman, J. M. et al., 1991, Mamm. Gen. 1:130-144; Friedman, J. M. and Liebel, R. L., 1992, Cell 69:217-220.

Studies utilizing mice have confirmed that obesity is a very complex trait with a high degree of heritability. Mutations at a number of loci have been identified which lead to obese phenotypes. These include the autosomal recessive mutations obese (ob), diabetes (db), fat (fat) and tubby (tub). In addition, the autosomal dominant mutations Yellow at the agouti locus and Adipose (Ad) have been shown to contribute to an obese phenotype.

The ob and db mutations are on chromosomes 6 and 4, respectively, but lead to a complex, clinically similar phenotype of obesity, evident starting at about one month of age, which includes hyperphagia, severe abnormalities in glucose and insulin metabolism, very poor thermoregulation and non-shivering thermogenesis, and extreme torpor and underdevelopment of the lean body mass. This complex phenotype has made it difficult to identify the primary defect attributable to the mutations (Bray G. A., et al., 1989 Amer. J. Clin. Nutr. 5:891-902).

Using molecular and classical genetic markers, the db gene has been mapped to midchromosome 4 (Friedman et al., 1991, Mamm. Gen. 1:130-144). The mutation maps to a region of the mouse genome that is syntonic with human, suggesting that, if there is a human homolog of db, it is likely to map to human chromosome 1p.

The ob gene and its human homologue have recently been cloned (Zhang, Y. et al., 1994, Nature 372:425-432). The gene appears to produce a 4.5 kb adipose tissue messenger RNA which contains a 167 amino acid open reading frame. The predicted amino acid sequence of the ob gene product indicates that it is a secreted protein and may, therefore, play a role as part of a signalling pathway from adipose tissue which may serve to regulate some aspect of body fat deposition. Further, recent studies have shown that recombinant Ob protein, also known as leptin, when exogenously administered, can at least partially correct the obesity-related phenotype exhibited by ob mice (Pelleymounter, M. A. et al., 1995, Science 269:540-543; Halalas, J. L. et al., 1995, Science 269:543-546; Campfield, L. A. et al., 1995, Science 269:546-549). Recent studies have suggested that obese humans and rodents (other than ob/ob mice) are not defective in their ability to produce ob mRNA or protein, and generally produce higher levels than lean individuals (Maffei et al., 1995, Nature Med. 1 (11):1155-1161; Considine et al., 1995, J. Clin. Invest. 95 (6):2986-2988; Lohnqvist et al., 1995, Nature Med. 1:950-953; Hamilton et al., 1995, Nature Med. 1:953-956). These data suggest that resistance to normal or elevated levels of Ob may be more important than inadequate Ob production in human obesity. However, the receptor for the ob gene product, thought to be expressed in the hypothalamus, remains elusive.

Homozygous mutations at either the fat or tub loci cause obesity which develops more slowly than that observed in ob and db mice (Coleman, D. L., and Eicher, E. M., 1990, J. Heredity 81:424-427), with tub obesity developing slower than that observed in fat animals. This feature of the tub obese phenotype makes the development of tub obese phenotype closest in resemblance to the manner in which obesity develops in humans. Even so, however, the obese phenotype within such animals can be characterized as massive in that animals eventually attain body weights which are nearly two times the average weight seen in normal mice.

The fat mutation has been mapped to mouse chromosome 8, while the tub mutation has been mapped to mouse chromosome 7. According to Naggert et al., the fat mutation has recently been identified (Naggert, J. K., et al., 1995, Nature Genetics 10:135-141). Specifically, the fat mutation appears to be a mutation within the Cpe locus, which encodes the carboxypeptidase (Cpe) E protein. Cpe is an exopeptidase involved in the processing of prohormones, including proinsulin.

The dominant Yellow mutation at the agouti locus, causes a pleiotropic syndrome which causes moderate adult onset obesity, a yellow coat color, and a high incidence of tumor formation (Herberg, L. and Coleman, D. L., 1977, Metabolism 26:59), and an abnormal anatomic distribution of body fat (Coleman, D. L., 1978, Diabetologia 14:141-148). This mutation may represent the only known example of a pleiotropic mutation that causes an increase, rather than a decrease, in body size. The mutation causes the widespread expression of a protein which is normally seen only in neonatal skin (Michaud, E. J. et al., 1994, Genes Devel. 8:1463-1472).

Other animal models include fa/fa (fatty) rats, which bear many similarities to the ob/ob and db/db mice, discussed above. One difference is that, while fa/fa rats are very sensitive to cold, their capacity for non-shivering thermogenesis is normal. Torpor seems to play a larger part in the maintenance of obesity in fa/fa rats than in the mice mutants. In addition, inbred mouse strains such as NZO mice and Japanese KK mice are moderately obese. Certain hybrid mice, such as the Wellesley mouse, become spontaneously fat. Further, several desert rodents, such as the spiny mouse, do not become obese in their natural habitats, but do become so when fed on standard laboratory feed.

Animals which have been used as models for obesity have also been developed via physical or pharmacological methods. For example, bilateral lesions in the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) and ventrolateral hypothalamus (VLH) in the rat are associated, respectively, with hyperphagia and gross obesity and with aphagia, cachexia and anorexia. Further, it has been demonstrated that feeding monosodium-glutamate (MSG) or gold thioglucose to newborn mice also results in an obesity syndrome.

Each of the rodent obesity models is accompanied by alterations in carbohydrate metabolism resembling those in Type II diabetes in man. For example, from both ob and db, congenic C57BL/KS mice develop a severe diabetes with ultimate β cell necrosis and islet atrophy, resulting in a relative insulinopenia, while congenic C57BL/6J ob and db mice develop a transient insulin-resistant diabetes that is eventually compensated by β cell hypertrophy resembling human Type II diabetes.

With respect to ob and db mice, the phenotype of these mice resembles human obesity in ways other than the development of diabetes, in that the mutant mice eat more and expend less energy than do lean controls (as do obese humans). This phenotype is also quite similar to that seen in animals with lesions of the ventromedial hypothalamus, which suggests that both mutations may interfere with the ability to properly integrate or respond to nutritional information within the central nervous system. Support for this hypothesis comes from the results of parabiosis experiments (Coleman, D. L. 1973, Diabetologica 9:294-298) that suggest ob mice are deficient in a circulating satiety factor and that db mice are resistant to the effects of the ob factor. These experiments have led to the conclusion that obesity in these mutant mice may result from different defects in an afferent loop and/or integrative center of the postulated feedback mechanism that controls body composition.

In summary, therefore, obesity, which poses a major, worldwide health problem, represents a complex, highly heritable trait. Given the severity, prevalence and potential heterogeneity of such disorders, there exists a great need for the identification of those genes and gene products that participate in the control of body weight.

It is an objective of the invention to provide modulators of body weight, to provide methods for diagnosis of body weight disorders, to provide therapy for such disorders, and to provide assay systems for the screening of substances that can be used to control body weight.

3. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the discovery, identification and characterization of nucleotides that encode Ob receptor (ObR), a novel receptor protein that participates in the control of mammalian body weight. ObR, described for the first time herein, is a transmembrane protein that spans the cellular membrane once and is involved in signal transduction triggered by the binding of its natural ligand, Ob, also known as leptin. ObR has amino acid sequence motifs found in the Class I cytokine receptor family, and is most related to the gp130 signal transducing component of the IL-6 receptor, the G-CSF receptor, and the LIF receptor. The results presented in the working examples herein demonstrate that a long-form ObR (predominantly expressed in the hypothalamus) transduces signal via a STAT mediated pathway typical of IL-6 type cytokine receptors, whereas a major naturally occurring truncated form or a mutant form found in obese db/db mice does not. The long form ObR can mediate activation of STAT proteins and stimulate transcription through IL-6 responsive gene elements. Reconstitution experiments indicate that, although ObR mediates intracellular signals with a specificity similar to IL-6 type cytokine receptors, signaling appears to be independent of the gp130 signal transducing component of the IL-6 type cytokine receptors.

The ObR mRNA transcript, which is about 5 kb long, is expressed in the choroid plexus, the hypothalamus and other tissues, including lung and liver. The murine short forms described herein encode receptor proteins of 894 (FIG. 1) and 893 amino acids; murine long form obR cDNAs and human obR cDNAs, described herein, encode receptor proteins of 1162 amino acids and 1165 amino acids, respectively (FIG. 6 and FIG. 3, respectively). The ObR has a typical hydrophobic leader sequence (about 22 amino acids long in both forms of murine ObR, and about 20 amino acids long in human ObR); an extracellular domain (about 815 amino acids long in both forms of murine ObR, and about 819 amino acids long in human ObR); a short transmembrane region (about 23 amino acids long in both forms of murine ObR and human ObR); and a cytoplasmic domain. The transcripts encoding the murine ObR short (FIG. 1) and long form (FIG. 6) are identical until the fifth codon 5′ of the stop codon of the short form and then diverge completely, suggestive of alternative splicing. As described herein, the cytoplasmic domain encoded by the 894 amino acid murine short form obR cDNA is 34 amino acids, while that encoded by the murine long form obR cDNA (302 amino acids) is approximately the same length as the cytoplasmic domain encoded by the human obR cDNA (303 amino acids). The deduced amino acid sequences from murine long form ObR and human ObR are homologous throughout the length of the coding region and share 75% identity (FIG. 7).

The obese phenotype of the db mouse results from a G→T transversion in the obR gene. This transversion creates a splice donor site which in turn leads to aberrant processing of obR long form mRNA in db mutants. In db mutants this aberrant processing generates long form mRNAs which encode a truncated ObR protein that is identical to the 894 amino acid short form ObR. Like the short form ObR, the mutant long form ObR lacks most of the cytoplasmic domain and is incapable of transducing a signal via a STAT mediated pathway. The signalling competant long form ObR, which is absent in the db/db mice, is required for body weight maintenance.

The invention encompasses the following nucleotides, host cells expressing such nucleotides, and the expression products of such nucleotides: (a) nucleotides that encode mammalian ObRs, including the human ObR, and the obR gene product;

-   -   (b) nucleotides that encode portions of the ObR that correspond         to its functional domains, and the polypeptide products         specified by such nucleotide sequences, including but not         limited to the extracellular domain (ECD), the transmembrane         domain (TM), and the cytoplasmic domain (CD); (c) nucleotides         that encode mutants of the ObR in which all or a part of one of         the domains is deleted or altered, and the polypeptide products         specified by such nucleotide sequences, including but not         limited to soluble receptors in which all or a portion of the TM         is deleted, and nonfunctional receptors in which all or a         portion of the CD is deleted; (d) nucleotides that encode fusion         proteins containing the ObR or one of its domains (e.g., the         extracellular domain) fused to another polypeptide.

The invention also encompasses agonists and antagonists of ObR, including small molecules, large molecules, mutant Ob proteins that compete with native Ob, and antibodies, as well as nucleotide sequences that can be used to inhibit obR gene expression (e.g., antisense and ribozyme molecules, and gene or regulatory sequence replacement constructs) or to enhance obR gene expression (e.g., expression constructs that place the obR gene under the control of a strong promoter system), and transgenic animals that express an obR transgene or “knock-outs” that do not express ObR.

In addition, the present invention encompasses methods and compositions for the diagnostic evaluation, typing and prognosis of body weight disorders, including obesity and cachexia, and for the identification of subjects having a predisposition to such conditions. For example, obR nucleic acid molecules of the invention can be used as diagnostic hybridization probes or as primers for diagnostic PCR analysis for the identification of obR gene mutations, allelic variations and regulatory defects in the obR gene. The present invention further provides for diagnostic kits for the practice of such methods.

Further, the present invention also relates to methods for the use of the obR gene and/or obR gene products for the identification of compounds which modulate, i.e., act as agonists or antagonists, of obR gene expression and or obR gene product activity. Such compounds can be used as agents to control body weight and, in particular, as therapeutic agents for the treatment of body weight and body weight disorders, including obesity, cachexia and anorexia.

Still further, the invention encompasses methods and compositions for the treatment of body weight disorders, including obesity, cachexia, and anorexia. Such methods and compositions are capable of modulating the level of obR gene expression and/or the level of obR gene product activity.

This invention is based, in part, on the surprising discovery, after an extensive survey of numerous cell lines and tissues, of a high affinity receptor for Ob in the choroid plexus of the brain, the identification and cloning of obR cDNA from a library prepared from choroid plexus mRNA, characterization of its novel sequence, mapping the obR gene to the same genetic interval in the mouse genome as the db gene maps, and characterization of the ObR as a transmembrane receptor of the Class I cytokine receptor family. obR mRNA was detected in other tissues, including the hypothalamus.

The full-length ObR, expressed predominantly in the hypothalamus signals transduces through activation of STAT proteins and stimulation of transcription through IL-6 responsive gene elements. The ability of the full-length long form ObR to signal is in contrast to the naturally occurring truncated form or the mutant form found in db/db mice which are unable to mediate signal transduction. The invention also includes forms of ObR lacking one or another of the intracellular domains important for signalling and induction of gene expression.

In another aspect the invention features a method for identifying candidate therapeutic agents for the treatment of a body weight disorder, comprising:

-   -   a) providing a cell which expresses a mammalian Ob receptor, the         cell harboring a reporter construct, the reporter construct         including a sequence encoding a detectable protein (e.g.,         β-lactamase, chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT), adenosine         deaminase (ADA), aminoglycoside phosphotransferase (neo^(r),         G418^(r)), dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR),         hygromycin-B-phosphotransferase (HPH), thymidine kinase (TK),         lacZ (encoding β-galactosidase), alkaline phosphatase or         xanthine guaninephosphoribosyltransferase (XGPRT)), the sequence         encoding the detectable protein being operably linked to a Ob         receptor responsive regulatory element (e.g., IL-6 RE or HRRE);     -   b) contacting the cell with a test compound;     -   c) measuring the expression of the detectable protein in the         presence of the test compound;     -   d) wherein an increase or a decrease in the expression of the         detectable protein in the presence of the test compound compared         to the absence of the test compound indicates that the test         compound is a candidate therapeutic agent for treatment of a         body weight disorder.

The sequence encoding the detectable protein is operably linked to the Ob receptor responsive regulatory element if expression of the protein is altered by activation of the Ob receptor (e.g., activation caused by the binding of leptin to the Ob receptor).

In other embodiments the contacting with the test compound takes place in the presence of an Ob receptor agonist or antagonist. The invention also features a compound identified using the method described above.

In another aspect the invention features a method of inducing weight loss in a mammal by administering to the mammal a compound (e.g., a small molecule or an antibody) that activates the Ob receptor or the Ob receptor signalling pathway.

3.1. Definitions

As used herein, the following terms, whether used in the singular or plural, will have the meanings indicated:

-   -   Ob: means the Ob protein described in Zhang, Y. et al., 1994,         Nature 372:425-432, which is incorporated herein by reference in         its entirety, which is also known as leptin. Ob includes         molecules that are homologous to Ob or which bind to ObR. Ob         fusion proteins having an N-terminal alkaline phosphatase domain         are referred to herein as AP-Ob fusion proteins, while Ob fusion         proteins having a C-terminal alkaline phosphatase domain are         referred to herein as Ob-AP fusion proteins.     -   obR nucleotides or coding sequences: means nucleotide sequences         encoding ObR protein, polypeptide or peptide fragments of ObR         protein, or ObR fusion proteins. obR nucleotide sequences         encompass DNA, including genomic DNA (e.g. the obR gene) or         cDNA, or RNA.     -   ObR: means Ob receptor protein. Polypeptides or peptide         fragments of ObR protein are referred to as ObR polypeptides or         ObR peptides. Fusions of ObR, or ObR polypeptides or peptide         fragments to an unrelated protein are referred to herein as ObR         fusion proteins. A functional ObR refers to a protein which         binds Ob with high affinity in vivo or in vitro.     -   ECD: means “extracellular domain”.     -   TM: means “transmembrane domain”.     -   CD: means “cytoplasmic domain”.

4. DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1. Nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO:1) and deduced amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:2) of murine obR (short form) cDNA encoding murine short form ObR protein (894 amino acids). The domains of short form murine ObR are: signal sequence (amino acid residue 1 to about amino acid residue 22), extracellular domain (from about amino acid residue 23 to about amino acid residue 837), transmembrane domain (from about amino acid residue 838 to about amino acid residue 860), and cytoplasmic domain (from about amino acid residue 861 to about amino acid residue 894). Potential N-linked glycosylation sites in the extracellular domain are indicated by asterisks above the first amino acid of the N-X-S and N-X-T motifs. Underscores indicate motifs conserved in the class I cytokine receptor family.

FIG. 2A. COS-7 cells transfected with the ObR cDNA were treated with various AP or AP-Ob fusion proteins at 1 nM (diluted in DMEM+10% FBS). Columns show the average of two binding determinations and error bars show the difference between the two. 1) Unfused AP, 2) AP-Ob (mouse), 3) AP-Ob (mouse)+100 nM mouse Ob, 4) AP-Ob (mouse)+100 nM human Ob, 5) AP-Ob (human), 6) Ob-AP (mouse), 7) AP-Ob (mouse) incubated with mock transfected (vector- no insert) COS-7 cells.

FIG. 2B. Binding isotherm and Scatchard analysis of the interaction of AP-Ob and ObR. COS-7 cells transfected with the obR cDNA were incubated with various concentrations of the AP-Ob (mouse) fusion protein. Scatchard transformation is shown as an inset.

FIG. 3. Nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO:3) and deduced amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:4) of human obR cDNA encoding human ObR protein. The domains of human ObR are: signal sequence (from amino acid residue 1 to about amino acid residue 20), extracellular domain (from about amino acid residue 21 to about amino acid residue 839), transmembrane domain (from about amino acid residue 840 to about amino acid residue 862), and cytoplasmic domain (from about amino acid residue 863 to about amino acid residue 1165). Also depicted are 5′ untranslated nucleotide sequences. Potential N-linked glycosylation sites in the extracellular domain are indicated by asterisks above the first amino acid of the N-X-S and N-X-T motifs. Underscores indicate motifs conserved in the class I cytokine receptor family.

FIG. 4. Alignment of the extracellular domains of the murine ObR and human gp130. Identical residues (black) and conservative changes (gray) are indicated by shading around the corresponding amino acids. Conservative changes (as defined by FASTA) are indicated.

FIG. 5. Alignment of mouse ObR (short form shown in FIG. 1) and human ObR. Amino acids that are identical between the two sequences are indicated by a star.

FIG. 6. Nucleotide sequence and deduced amino acid sequence of murine long form obR cDNA encoding murine long form ObR protein. The domains of long form murine ObR are: signal sequence (amino acid residue 1 to about amino acid residue 22), extracellular domain (from about amino acid residue 23 to about amino acid residue 837), transmembrane domain (from about amino acid residue 838 to about amino acid residue 860), and cytoplasmic domain (from about amino acid residue 861 to about amino acid residue 1162).

FIG. 7. Alignment of the long forms of human and murine ObR. Identical residues and conservative changes are indicated by two asterisks or one asterisk, respectively. Conservative changes indicated are as defined by FASTA. Abbreviations: mobr-1, murine ObR long form; and hobr, human homolog.

FIG. 8. Location of the gene encoding ObR on mouse chromosome 4.

FIG. 9. Nucleotide sequence of the 106 base pair insert in the long form transcript of db/db. The precise position of the insertion in the deduced amino acid sequence near the insertion region are shown.

FIG. 10. Bar graph depicting ObR-Ig neutralization of OB protein. COS cell were transiently transfected with the ObR cDNA and tested for their ability to bind 0.5 nM AP-OB. Column 1 shows the high levels of specific binding observed in the absence of ObR-IgG fusion protein. Columns 2, 3, and 4 show the near complete inhibition of binding observed with three different column fractions of purified ObR IgG.

FIG. 11A. Schematic drawings of various C-terminal deletion mutants of ObR protein. The names and predicted length (aa) of the proteins are shown above each protein. The extracellular domains are shown as striped, the transmembrane domains are shown as black, and the cytoplasmic domains are shown as white. The location of tyrosine residues in the cytoplasmic domain are indicated by horizontal bars (Y986, Y1079, and Y1141 are conserved between human and murine ObR). The length of the cytoplasmic domains (aa) are shown below each protein.

FIG. 11B. A bar graph depicting the results of CAT assays employing an IL-6RE-CAT expression construct (upper panel) or a HRRE-CAT expression construct (lower panel) and the ObR deletion mutants of FIG. 11A. H-35 cells were transfected with cDNAs encoding the ObR mutant and either IL-6RE-CAT or HRRE-CAT. Subcultures of cells were treated for 24 hours with serum-free medium alone (−) or serum-free medium containing mouse leptin (+). CAT activity was determined and is expressed relative to values obtained for untreated control cultures.

FIG. 12. A bar graph depicting the results of an AP-Ob fusion protein binding assay. COS-7 cells were transfected with a cDNA encoding the indicated ObR protein. Forty-eight hours later, cells were incubated with 1 mM AP-Ob fusion protein. Bars show the average of two binding assays. The error bars indicate the difference between the two assays.

FIG. 13A. Schematic drawings of various mutant ObR proteins. The location of tyrosine residues 986 and 1079 are indicated. The location of the “box 1” sequence is also indicated.

FIG. 13B. Bar graph depicting the results of a HRRE-CAT induction assay. H-35 cells were co-transfected with HRRE-CAT and expression constructs for either OB-RY986F, OB-RY1079F or OB-R(box 1mt). Subcultures of cells were treated for 24 hours with serum-free medium containing human leptin. CAT activity was determined and is expressed relative to values obtained for untreated control cultures.

FIG. 14A. Schematic drawings of various receptor chimeras. The portions derived from G-CSFR are shaded; the portions derived from ObR are not. The locations of the predicted Box 1, Box 2, and Box 3 motifs are indicated.

FIG. 14B. Bar graphs depicting the results of IL-6RE-CAT (left panel) and HRRE-CAT induction assays. H-35 cells were co-transfected with expression plasmids for the indicated receptor (ObR, G-CSFR, or chimeric) and IL-6-RE-CAT or HREE-CAT expression construct. Cells were stimulated with the appropriate ligand and CAT activity was determined as in the experiments described in FIG. 11. All values are expressed relative to untreated control cultures (mean±std deviation of 3 to 4 experiments).

FIG. 15A. Bar graph depicting the results of HRRE-CAT induction assays. H-35 cells were co-transfected with HRRE-CAT and the indicated amount of ObR and OB-RΔ868-1165. Cells were stimulated with leptin, and CAT activity was determined as in the experiments described in FIG. 11. All values are expressed relative to the untreated cultures. FIG. 15B. Bar graph depicting the results of IL-6RE-CAT induction assays. H-35 cells were co-transfected with IL-6RE-CAT and the indicated amount of ObR/G-CSFR and OB-RA868-1165. Cells were stimulated with leptin, and CAT activity was determined as in the experiments described in FIG. 11. All values are expressed relative to the untreated cultures.

FIG. 15C. Bar graph depicting the results of IL-6RE-CAT induction assays. H-35 cells were co-transfected with IL-6RE-CAT and the indicated amount of G-CSFR and G-CSFR(Δcyto). Cells were stimulated with G-CSF, and CAT activity was determined as in the experiments described in FIG. 11. All values are expressed relative to the untreated cultures.

FIG. 15D. Bar graph depicting the results of IL-6RE-CAT induction assays. H-35 cells were co-transfected with IL-6RE-CAT and the indicated amount of G-CSFR/ObR and G-CSFR(Δcyto). Cells were stimulated with G-CSF, and CAT activity was determined as in the experiments described in FIG. 11. All values are expressed relative to the untreated cultures.

FIG. 15E. Bar graph depicting the results of IL-6RE-CAT induction assays. H-35 cells were co-transfected with IL-6RE-CAT and the indicated amount of ObR and OB-RY1141F. Cells were stimulated with leptin, and CAT activity was determined as in the experiments described in FIG. 11. All values are expressed relative to the untreated cultures.

FIG. 16. Line graph depicting % food intake over time in mice treated with PBS (□), an Ob receptor-Ig fusion protein (150 μg/mouse; •), LPS (10 μg/mouse; ◯), and LPS (10 μg/mouse) with the Ob receptor-Ig fusion protein (150 μg/mouse) (_).

5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

ObR, described for the first time herein, is a novel receptor protein that participates in body weight regulation. ObR is a transmembrane protein that spans the membrane once and belongs to the Class I family of cytokine receptors, and is most closely related to the gp130 signal transducing component of the IL-6 receptor, the G-CSF receptor, and the LIF receptor. Signal transduction is triggered by the binding of Ob to the receptor. Neutralization of Ob, removal of Ob, or interference with its binding to ObR results in weight gain. ObR mRNA is detected in the choroid plexus, and other tissues, including the hypothalamus.

The invention encompasses the use of obR nucleotides, ObR proteins and peptides, as well as antibodies to the ObR (which can, for example, act as ObR agonists or antagonists), antagonists that inhibit receptor activity or expression, or agonists that activate receptor activity or increase its expression in the diagnosis and treatment of body weight disorders, including, but not limited to obesity, cachexia and anorexia in animals, including humans. The diagnosis of an ObR abnormality in a patient, or an abnormality in the ObR signal transduction pathway, will assist in devising a proper treatment or therapeutic regimen. In addition, obR nucleotides and ObR proteins are useful for the identification of compounds effective in the treatment of body weight disorders regulated by the ObR.

In particular, the invention described in the subsections below encompasses ObR, polypeptides or peptides corresponding to functional domains of the ObR (e.g., ECD, TM or CD), mutated, truncated or deleted ObRs (e.g. an ObR with one or more functional domains or portions thereof deleted, such as ΔTM and/or ΔCD), ObR fusion proteins (e.g. an ObR or a functional domain of ObR, such as the ECD, fused to an unrelated protein or peptide such as an immunoglobulin constant region, i.e., IgFc), nucleotide sequences encoding such products, and host cell expression systems that can produce such ObR products.

The invention also features Ob receptors having an amino acid sequence that is substantially identical to a defined amino acid sequence.

By “substantially identical” is meant a polypeptide or nucleic acid having a sequence that is at least 85%, preferably 90%, and more preferably 95% or more identical to the sequence of the reference amino acid or nucleic acid sequence. For polypeptides, the length of the reference polypeptide sequence will generally be at least 16 amino acids, preferably at least 20 amino acids, more preferably at least 25 amino acids, and most preferably 35 amino acids. For nucleic acids, the length of the reference nucleic acid sequence will generally be at least 50 nucleotides, preferably at least 60 nucleotides, more preferably at least 75 nucleotides, and most preferably 110 nucleotides.

Sequence identity can be measured using sequence analysis software (e.g., Sequence Analysis Software Package of the Genetics Computer Group, University of Wisconsin Biotechnology Center, 1710 University Avenue, Madison, Wis. 53705) with the default parameters specified therein.

In the case of polypeptide sequences which are less than 100% identical to a reference sequence, the non-identical positions are preferably, but not necessarily, conservative substitutions for the reference sequence. Conservative substitutions typically include substitutions within the following groups: glycine and alanine; valine, isoleucine, and leucine; aspartic acid and glutamic acid; asparagine and glutamine; serine and threonine; lysine and arginine; and phenylalanine and tyrosine.

Where a particular polypeptide is said to have a specific percent identity to a reference polypeptide of a defined length, the percent identity is relative to the reference peptide. Thus, a peptide that is 50% identical to a reference polypeptide that is 100 amino acids long can be a 50 amino acid polypeptide that is completely identical to a 50 amino acid long portion of the reference polypeptide. It might also be a 100 amino acid long polypeptide which is 50% identical to the reference polypeptide over its entire length. Of course, many other polypeptides will meet the same criteria.

The invention also encompasses antibodies and anti-idiotypic antibodies (including Fab fragments), antagonists and agonists of the ObR, as well as compounds or nucleotide constructs that inhibit expression of the obR gene (transcription factor inhibitors, antisense and ribozyme molecules, or gene or regulatory sequence replacement constructs), or promote expression of ObR (e.g., expression constructs in which obR coding sequences are operatively associated with expression control elements such as promoters, promoter/enhancers, etc.). The invention also relates to host cells and animals genetically engineered to express the human ObR (or mutants thereof) or to inhibit or “knock-out” expression of the animal's endogenous ObR.

The ObR proteins or peptides, ObR fusion proteins, obR nucleotide sequences, antibodies, antagonists and agonists can be useful for the detection of mutant ObRs or inappropriately expressed ObRs for the diagnosis of body weight disorders such as obesity, anorexia or cachexia. The ObR proteins or peptides, ObR fusion proteins, obR nucleotide sequences, host cell expression systems, antibodies, antagonists, agonists and genetically engineered cells and animals can be used for screening for drugs effective in the treatment of such body weight disorders. The use of engineered host cells and/or animals may offer an advantage in that such systems allow not only for the identification of compounds that bind to the ECD of the ObR, but can also identify compounds that affect the signal transduced by the activated ObR.

Finally, the ObR protein products (especially soluble derivatives such as peptides corresponding to the ObR ECD, or truncated polypeptides lacking the TM domain) and fusion protein products (especially ObR-Ig fusion proteins, i.e., fusions of the ObR or a domain of the ObR, e.g., ECD, ΔTM to an IgFc), antibodies and anti-idiotypic antibodies (including Fab fragments), antagonists or agonists (including compounds that modulate signal transduction which may act on downstream targets in the ObR signal transduction pathway) can be used for therapy of such diseases. For example, the administration of an effective amount of soluble ObR ECD, ΔTM ObR or an ECD-IgFc fusion protein or an anti-idiotypic antibody (or its Fab) that mimics the ObR ECD would “mop up” or “neutralize” endogenous Ob, and prevent or reduce binding and receptor activation, leading to weight gain. Nucleotide constructs encoding such ObR products can be used to genetically engineer host cells to express such ObR products in vivo; these genetically engineered cells function as “bioreactors” in the body delivering a continuous supply of the ObR, ObR peptide, soluble ECD or ΔTM or ObR fusion protein that will “mop up” or neutralize Ob. Nucleotide constructs encoding functional ObRs, mutant ObRs, as well as antisense and ribozyme molecules can be used in “gene therapy” approaches for the modulation of ObR expression and/or activity in the treatment of body weight disorders. Thus, the invention also encompasses pharmaceutical formulations and methods for treating body weight disorders.

The invention is based, in part, on the surprising discovery of a high affinity receptor for Ob expressed at significant concentration in the choroid plexus. This discovery was made possible by using a novel alkaline phosphatase/Ob (AP-Ob) fusion protein for in situ staining of cells and tissue. Competition studies with unlabeled Ob confirmed that the in situ binding observed was specific for Ob. Murine obR cDNA was identified using AP-Ob fusion protein to screen an expression library of cDNAs synthesized from murine choroid plexus mRNA and transiently transfected into mammalian COS cells. A clone, famj5312, expressing the short form of a high affinity receptor for Ob was identified and sequenced. Sequence analysis revealed that the obR cDNA and predicted amino acid sequence are novel sequences containing amino acid regions indicating that ObR is a member of the Class I family of receptor proteins. Mapping studies described herein demonstrate that the obR gene maps to the db locus. The data presented herein demonstrate further that the db gene is a mutant obR gene, which expresses an aberrantly spliced obR long form message that encodes a protein identical to the short form murine ObR. The famj5312 sequence was utilized to screen a human fetal brain cDNA library, which resulted in the identification of a human obR cDNA clone fahj5312d, described herein. Oligonucleotide primers designed on the basis of the human cDNA sequence were used to clone the human genomic DNA clone, h-obR-p87, also described herein. mRNA encoding the murine long form of ObR was cloned from murine hypothalamus using degenerate primers designed on the human ObR cytoplasmic domain.

Various aspects of the invention are described in greater detail in the subsections below.

5.1. The ObR Gene

The cDNA sequence (SEQ ID NO:1) and deduced amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:2) of murine short form (894 amino acids long) and murine long form ObR are shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, respectively. The signal sequence of both murine short and long form ObR extends from amino acid residue 1 to about amino acid residue 22 of FIGS. 1 and 6, respectively; the extracellular domain of both forms of murine ObR extends from about amino acid residue 23 to about amino acid residue 837 of FIGS. 1 and 6; the transmembrane domain of both forms of murine ObR extends from about amino acid residue 838 to about amino acid residue 860 of FIGS. 1 and 6; and the cytoplasmic domain of the murine short form ObR extends from about amino acid residue 861 to about amino acid residue 894 of FIG. 1, while that of the long form extends from amino acid residue 861 to about amino acid residue 1162 of FIG. 6. At least one other short form of murine ObR has been identified, which is one amino acid shorter (i.e., 893 amino acids) than the sequence shown in FIG. 1. The sequence at the C-terminus differs from the sequence shown in FIG. 1, in that residues 890-894 (RTDTL) are not present; and instead, residues 890-893 of the second short form have the following sequence: IMWI.

The cDNA sequence (SEQ ID NO:3) and deduced amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:4) of human ObR are shown in FIG. 3. The human ObR signal sequence extends from amino acid residue 1 to about amino acid residue 20 of FIG. 3; the extracellular domain of human ObR extends from about amino acid residue 21 to about amino acid resiude 839 of FIG. 3; the transmembrane domain of human ObR extends from about amino acid residue 840 to about amino acid residue 862 of FIG. 3; and the cytoplasmic domain of human ObR extends from about amino acid residue 863 to about amino acid residue 1165 of FIG. 3. Sequences derived from the human cDNA clone were used to design primers that were used to clone the human genomic obR, h-obR-p87, as described in the examples, infra.

Data presented in the working examples, infra, demonstrate that the obR gene maps to the db locus, and that the db gene is a mutant obR gene which is expressed in db mice as an aberrantly spliced transcript resulting in an mRNA species containing an insert of approximately 106 nucleotides (nt) in the portion encoding the cytoplasmic domain of ObR. The insert produces a mutation that results in a transcript that encodes a prematurely truncated long form that is identical to murine short form ObR.

The obR nucleotide sequences of the invention include: (a) the DNA sequence shown in FIG. 1, 3 or 6 or contained in the cDNA clone famj5312 within E. coli strain 5312B4F3 as deposited with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), or contained in the cDNA clone fahj5312d within E. coli strain h-obRD as deposited with the ATCC, or contained in the human genomic clone, h-obR-p87 as deposited with the ATCC; (b) nucleotide sequence that encodes the amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 1, 3 or 6, or the ObR amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA clone famj5312 as deposited with the ATCC, or the cDNA clone fahj5312d as deposited with the ATCC, or contained in the human genomic clone, h-obR-p87 as deposited with the ATCC; (c) any nucleotide sequence that hybridizes to the complement of the DNA sequence shown in FIG. 1, 3, or 6 or contained in the cDNA clone famj5312 as deposited with the ATCC, or contained in the cDNA clone fahj5312d as deposited with the ATCC, or contained in the human genomic clone, h-obR-p87 as deposited with the ATCC under highly stringent conditions, for example, hybridization to filter-bound DNA in 0.5 M NaHPO₄, 7% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), 1 mM EDTA at 65° C., and washing in 0.1×SSC/0.1% SDS at 68° C. (Ausubel F. M. et al., eds., 1989, Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Vol. I, Green Publishing Associates, Inc., and John Wiley & sons, Inc., New York, at p. 2.10.3) and encodes a functionally equivalent gene product; and (d) any nucleotide sequence that hybridizes to the complement of the DNA sequences that encode the amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 1, 3, or 6 contained in cDNA clone famj5312 as deposited with the ATCC, or contained in the cDNA clone fahj5312d as deposited with the ATCC, or contained in the human genomic clone, h-obR-p87 as deposited with the ATCC under less stringent conditions, such as moderately stringent conditions, for example, washing in 0.2×SSC/0.1% SDS at 42° C. (Ausubel et al., 1989, supra), yet which still encodes a functionally equivalent obR gene product. Functional equivalents of the ObR include naturally occurring ObR present in other species, and mutant ObRs whether naturally occurring or engineered. The invention also includes degenerate variants of sequences (a) through (d).

The invention also includes nucleic acid molecules, preferably DNA molecules, that hybridize to, and are therefore the complements of, the nucleotide sequences (a) through (d), in the preceding paragraph. Such hybridization conditions may be highly stringent or less highly stringent, as described above. In instances wherein the nucleic acid molecules are deoxyoligonucleotides (“oligos”), highly stringent conditions may refer, for example, to washing in 6×SSC/0.05% sodium pyrophosphate at 37° C. (for 14-base oligos), 48° C. (for 17-base oligos), 55° C. (for 20-base oligos), and 60° C. (for 23-base oligos). These nucleic acid molecules may encode or act as obR antisense molecules, useful, for example, in obR gene regulation (for and/or as antisense primers in amplification reactions of obR gene nucleic acid sequences). With respect to obR gene regulation, such techniques can be used to regulate, for example, cachexia and/or anorexia. Further, such sequences may be used as part of ribozyme and/or triple helix sequences, also useful for obR gene regulation. Still further, such molecules may be used as components of diagnostic methods whereby, for example, the presence of a particular obR allele responsible for causing a weight disorder, such as obesity, may be detected.

In addition to the obR nucleotide sequences described above, full length obR cDNA or gene sequences present in the same species and/or homologs of the obR gene present in other species can be identified and readily isolated, without undue experimentation, by molecular biological techniques well known in the art. The identification of homologs of obR in related species can be useful for developing animal model systems more closely related to humans for purposes of drug discovery. For example, expression libraries of cDNAs synthesized from choroid plexus mRNA derived from the organism of interest can be screened using labeled Ob derived from that species, for example, an AP-Ob fusion protein. Alternatively, such cDNA libraries, or genomic DNA libraries derived from the organism of interest can be screened by hybridization using the nucleotides described herein as hybridization or amplification probes. Furthermore, genes at other genetic loci within the genome that encode proteins which have extensive homology to one or more domains of the obR gene product can also be identified via similar techniques. In the case of cDNA libraries, such screening techniques can identify clones derived from alternatively spliced transcripts in the same or different species.

Screening can be by filter hybridization, using duplicate filters. The labeled probe can contain at least 15-30 base pairs of the obR nucleotide sequence, as shown in FIG. 1, 3, or 6. The hybridization washing conditions used should be of a lower stringency when the cDNA library is derived from an organism different from the type of organism from which the labeled sequence was derived. With respect to the cloning of a human obR homolog, using murine obR probes, for example, hybridization can, for example, be performed at 65° C. overnight in Church's buffer (7% SDS, 250 mM NaHPO₄, 2 μM EDTA, 1% BSA). Washes can be done with 2×SSC, 0.1% SDS at 65° C. and then at 0.1×SSC, 0.1% SDS at 65° C.

Low stringency conditions are well known to those of skill in the art, and will vary predictably depending on the specific organisms from which the library and the labeled sequences are derived. For guidance regarding such conditions see, for example, Sambrook et al., 1989, Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual, Cold Springs Harbor Press, N.Y.; and Ausubel et al., 1989, Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Green Publishing Associates and Wiley Interscience, N.Y.

Alternatively, the labeled obR nucleotide probe may be used to screen a genomic library derived from the organism of interest, again, using appropriately stringent conditions. The identification and characterization of human genomic clones is helpful for designing diagnostic tests and clinical protocols for treating body weight disorders in human patients. For example, sequences derived from regions adjacent to the intron/exon boundaries of the human gene can be used to design primers for use in amplification assays to detect mutations within the exons, introns, splice sites (e.g. splice acceptor and/or donor sites), etc., that can be used in diagnostics.

Further, an obR gene homolog may be isolated from nucleic acid of the organism of interest by performing PCR using two degenerate oligonucleotide primer pools designed on the basis of amino acid sequences within the obR gene product disclosed herein. The template for the reaction may be cDNA obtained by reverse transcription of mRNA prepared from, for example, human or non-human cell lines or tissue, such as choroid plexus, known or suspected to express an obR gene allele.

The PCR product may be subcloned and sequenced to ensure that the amplified sequences represent the sequences of an obR gene. The PCR fragment may then be used to isolate a full length cDNA clone by a variety of methods. For example, the amplified fragment may be labeled and used to screen a cDNA library, such as a bacteriophage cDNA library. Alternatively, the labeled fragment may be used to isolate genomic clones via the screening of a genomic library.

PCR technology may also be utilized to isolate full length cDNA sequences. For example, RNA may be isolated, following standard procedures, from an appropriate cellular or tissue source (i.e., one known, or suspected, to express the obR gene, such as, for example, choroid plexus or brain tissue). A reverse transcription reaction may be performed on the RNA using an oligonucleotide primer specific for the most 5′ end of the amplified fragment for the priming of first strand synthesis. The resulting RNA/DNA hybrid may then be “tailed” with guanines using a standard terminal transferase reaction, the hybrid may be digested with RNAase H, and second strand synthesis may then be primed with a poly-C primer. Thus, cDNA sequences upstream of the amplified fragment may easily be isolated. For a review of cloning strategies which may be used, see for example, Sambrook et al., 1989, supra.

The obR gene sequences may additionally be used to isolate mutant obR gene alleles. Such mutant alleles may be isolated from individuals either known or proposed to have a genotype which contributes to the symptoms of body weight disorders such as obesity, cachexia or anorexia. Mutant alleles and mutant allele products may then be utilized in the therapeutic and diagnostic systems described below. Additionally, such obR gene sequences can be used to detect obR gene regulatory (e.g., promoter or promotor/enhancer) defects which can affect body weight.

A cDNA of a mutant obR gene may be isolated, for example, by using PCR, a technique which is well known to those of skill in the art. In this case, the first cDNA strand may be synthesized by hybridizing an oligo-dT oligonucleotide to mRNA isolated from tissue known or suspected to be expressed in an individual putatively carrying the mutant obR allele, and by extending the new strand with reverse transcriptase. The second strand of the cDNA is then synthesized using an oligonucleotide that hybridizes specifically to the 5′ end of the normal gene. Using these two primers, the product is then amplified via PCR, cloned into a suitable vector, and subjected to DNA sequence analysis through methods well known to those of skill in the art. By comparing the DNA sequence of the mutant obR allele to that of the normal obR allele, the mutation(s) responsible for the loss or alteration of function of the mutant obR gene product can be ascertained.

Alternatively, a genomic library can be constructed using DNA obtained from an individual suspected of or known to carry the mutant obR allele, or a cDNA library can be constructed using RNA from a tissue known, or suspected, to express the mutant obR allele. The normal obR gene or any suitable fragment thereof may then be labeled and used as a probe to identify the corresponding mutant obR allele in such libraries. Clones containing the mutant obR gene sequences may then be purified and subjected to sequence analysis according to methods well known to those of skill in the art.

Additionally, an expression library can be constructed utilizing cDNA synthesized from, for example, RNA isolated from a tissue known, or suspected, to express a mutant obR allele in an individual suspected of or known to carry such a mutant allele. In this manner, gene products made by the putatively mutant tissue may be expressed and screened using standard antibody screening techniques in conjunction with antibodies raised against the normal obR gene product, as described, below, in Section 5.3. (For screening techniques, see, for example, Harlow, E. and Lane, eds., 1988, Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Press, Cold Spring Harbor.) Additionally, screening can be accomplished by screening with labeled Ob fusion proteins, such as, for example, AP-Ob or Ob-AP fusion proteins. In cases where an obR mutation results in an expressed gene product with altered function (e.g., as a result of a missense or a frameshift mutation), a polyclonal set of antibodies to ObR are likely to cross-react with the mutant ObR gene product. Library clones detected via their reaction with such labeled antibodies can be purified and subjected to sequence analysis according to methods well known to those of skill in the art.

The invention also encompasses nucleotide sequences that encode mutant ObRs, peptide fragments of the ObR, truncated ObRs, and ObR fusion proteins. These include, but are not limited to nucleotide sequences encoding mutant ObRs described in section 5.2 infra; polypeptides or peptides corresponding to the ECD, TM and/or CD domains of the ObR or portions of these domains; truncated ObRs in which one or two of the domains is deleted, e.g., a soluble ObR lacking the TM or both the TM and CD regions, or a truncated, nonfunctional ObR lacking all or a portion of the CD region. Nucleotides encoding fusion proteins may include by are not limited to full length ObR, truncated ObR or peptide fragments of ObR fused to an unrelated protein or peptide, such as for example, a transmembrane sequence, which anchors the ObR ECD to the cell membrane; an Ig Fc domain which increases the stability and half life of the resulting fusion protein (e.g., ObR-Ig) in the bloodstream; or an enzyme, fluorescent protein, luminescent protein which can be used as a marker.

The invention also encompasses (a) DNA vectors that contain any of the foregoing ObR coding sequences and/or their complements (i.e., antisense); (b) DNA expression vectors that contain any of the foregoing ObR coding sequences operatively associated with a regulatory element that directs the expression of the coding sequences; and (c) genetically engineered host cells that contain any of the foregoing ObR coding sequences operatively associated with a regulatory element that directs the expression of the coding sequences in the host cell. As used herein, regulatory elements include but are not limited to inducible and non-inducible promoters, enhancers, operators and other elements known to those skilled in the art that drive and regulate expression. Such regulatory elements include but are not limited to the cytomegalovirus hCMV immediate early gene, the early or late promoters of SV40 adenovirus, the lac system, the trp system, the TAC system, the TRC system, the major operator and promoter regions of phage A, the control regions of fd coat protein, the promoter for 3-phosphoglycerate kinase, the promoters of acid phosphatase, and the promoters of the yeast α-mating factors.

5.2. ObR Proteins and Polypeptides

ObR protein, polypeptides and peptide fragments, mutated, truncated or deleted forms of the ObR and/or ObR fusion proteins can be prepared for a variety of uses, including but not limited to the generation of antibodies, as reagents in diagnostic assays, the identification of other cellular gene products involved in the regulation of body weight, as reagents in assays for screening for compounds that can be used in the treatment of body weight disorders, and as pharmaceutical reagents useful in the treatment of body weight disorders related to the ObR.

FIGS. 1 and 6 show the amino acid sequence of a murine short form and long form ObR protein, respectively. In both of these forms of ObR, the signal sequence extends from amino acid 1 to about amino acid 22; the ECD extends from about amino acid 23 to about amino acid 837; and the TM extends from about amino acid 838 to about amino acid 860. In the short form of murine ObR, the CD extends from about amino acid 861 to about amino acid 894 (or to 893 in the second short form), while in the long form it extends from about amino acid 861 to about amino acid 1162. FIG. 3 shows the amino acid sequence of a human ObR. The signal sequence extends from amino acid residue 1 to about amino acid residue 20; the ECD extends from about amino acid residue 21 to about amino acid residue 839; the TM extends from about amino acid residue 840 to about amino acid residue 862; and the CD extends from about amino acid residue 863 to about amino acid residue 1165.

The ObR sequence begins with a methionine in a DNA sequence context consistent with a translation initiation site, followed by a typical hydrophobic signal sequence of peptide secretion. The predicted mature extracellular domain for both forms of murine ObR is identical and is 815 amino acids long, whereas the ECD predicted for human ObR is 819 amino acids long. The extracellular domain of ObR shows many features of the class I cytokine receptor family (reviewed in Heldin, 1995, Cell 80:213-223), and is most closely related to the gp130 signal transducing component of the IL-6 receptor (Taga et al., 1989, Cell 58:573-581), the G-CSF receptor (Fukunaga et al., 1990, Cell 61:341-350), and the LIF receptor (Gearing et al., 1991, Science 255:1434-1437). In fact, the data presented herein demonstrate that the long form ObR signals through activation of STAT proteins—a hallmark of the signal transduction pathway mediated by the IL-6 type cytokine receptor family.

An alignment between the extracellular domains of the murine ObR and gp130 is shown in FIG. 4. Although the overall amino acid sequence identity between these two molecules is low (24%), the characteristically conserved cysteine residues, the Trp-Ser-X-Trp-Ser motif (SEQ ID NO:6; amino acid residues 317-321 and 620-624 in the murine sequence shown in FIG. 1; amino acid residues 319-323 and 622-626 in the human sequence shown in FIG. 3), and conservation of other residues within this group of proteins (reviewed in Kishimoto et al., 1994, Cell 76:253-262) is clearly evident. The amino acid sequences of murine short form ObR and human ObR are highly homologous throughout the length of murine short form ObR (FIG. 5). In fact, the deduced amino acid sequence identity between the murine short form and human clones (78%) is the same or greater than that seen when comparing the murine and human forms of gp130 (Saito et al., 1992, J. Immunol. 148:4066-4071), the LIF receptor (Gough et al., 1988, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85:2623-2627), and the G-CSF receptor (Fukanaga et al., 1990, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87:8702-8706). Similarly, the deduced amino acid sequences from murine and human long forms of ObR are homologous throughout the length of the coding region and share 75% identity (FIG. 7).

Potential N-linked glycosylation sites (i.e., amino acid sequence motif N-X-S or N-X-T) are found in the ECD of both murine and human ObR. At least twenty potential N-linked glycosylation sites can be identified in the murine ObR ECD sequence shown in FIGS. 1 and 6 (see tripeptide motifs starting at amino acid residues 23, 41, 56, 73, 81, 98, 187, 206, 276, 347, 397, 433, 516, 624, 659, 670, 688, 697, 728, and 750); whereas at least sixteen potential N-linked glycosylation sites can be identified in the human ObR ECD sequence shown in FIG. 3 (see tripeptide motifs starting at amino acid residues 41, 56, 73, 98, 187, 275, 345, 431, 514, 622, 657, 668, 686, 695, 698 and 726). The extracellular domain of both the murine and human ObR is followed by a predicted transmembrane domain of 23 amino acids.

The murine cDNA shown in FIG. 1 encodes a short cytoplasmic domain (34 amino acids). Amino acids 5-24 of the murine ObR cytoplasmic domain (i.e., amino acid residues 865 to 884 in FIG. 1) show 47% identity to membrane proximal sequences of the intracellular domain of the LIF receptor, and contain a box1 Jak interaction sequence (Narazaki et al., 1994, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91:2285-2289). Interestingly, the human cDNA encodes a protein with a much longer intracellular domain than murine short form ObR. Although the murine short form and human intracellular domains are highly conserved up to the final five residues of murine short form ObR, the human intracellular domain continues to a length similar to that of gp130. The nucleotide sequences of the murine short form and human clones are also very similar throughout the coding region of murine short form ObR, but then diverge completely near the murine short form ObR stop codon.

The short cytoplasmic domain of the murine short form cDNAs described herein is characteristic of several class I cytokine receptor polypeptides (reviewed in Kishimoto et al., 1994, Cell 76:253-262). However, the results reported herein demonstrate that the short form ObR does not activate signal transduction via the STAT pathway which is mediated by the long form ObR. In fact, the three receptors to which ObR shows the strongest homology all have long cytoplasmic domains important in intracellular signaling. This opened the possibility that the murine short form ObR clone isolated was chimeric or encoded a rare aberrantly spliced form not representing the major form expressed within the choroid plexus. To address this issue, eight murine clones were selected that were independently identified in the library screen, and each was amplified (in subpools of 150 clones each) by PCR with primers made to sequences 3′ of the stop codon. Results verified that all eight clones contained these same 3′ untranslated sequences. In addition, the C-terminus of five independently isolated clones was sequenced and all shown to have the same stop codon. Finally, reverse transcription PCR with total RNA from choroid plexus isolated from a mouse strain (C57Bl/KsJ) different from that which the cDNA library was derived, generated an identical PCR product containing a stop codon in the same location. These data indicated that the isolated murine short form clone is neither chimeric nor a rare aberrant splice event, but rather is likely to be the predominant form of this receptor in the murine choroid plexus. The data presented herein indicate that in some tissues, alternatively spliced forms of mouse ObR exist with longer intracellular domains (the long form); i.e., the wild-type obR gene is expressed in two forms, one mRNA transcript having an insert of about 100 nucleotides encodes ObR having a short cytoplasmic domain, and another mRNA transcript encodes ObR having a long cytoplasmic domain that is homologous to the human CD.

The murine cDNA shown in FIG. 6 encodes the long form ObR. As described supra, the amino acids encoding the ECD and TM of the murine long form ObR are identical to those for the murine short form. The murine long form cDNA, however, encodes a cytoplasmic domain (302 amino acids) that is approximately the same length as the cytoplasmic domain encoded by the human ObR cDNA. Unlike the ObR short forms, the ObR encoded by the nucleotide sequence of the murine long form continues to be similar to that of the human ObR throughout the cytoplasmic domain.

The data presented herein also indicate that db is a mutant of the long form murine obR gene. The db mutant expresses an aberrantly spliced transcript containing an insert of about 106 nucleotides in the portion of the mRNA encoding the CD. Although the transcript is long, the inserted sequence produces a mutation that results in a transcript that encodes a truncated ObR protein that is identical to the short forms of ObR and therefore, lacks most of the CD. The data shown herein demonstrate that, unlike the long form ObR, the short form ObR, i.e., the form of the receptor associated with the obese phenotype in db/db mice, does not transduce signal mediated by the STAT pathway. Therefore, it appears that the signalling-competant long form ObR is actively involved in body weight regulation and maintenance.

In sum, messenger RNA for several major ObR forms have been identified. The predominant ObR mRNA found in most tissues encodes a transmembrane protein with a short cytoplasmic domain of 34 amino acid residues referred to as the short form. In hypothalamus, an obR mRNA exists which encodes a protein with an identical extracellular domain as the short form, but with a 302 residue-long cytoplasmic domain, referred to as the long form. The db mutation leads to the production of an aberrant splice product of long form transcript, resulting in a protein with truncated cytoplasmic domain. Interestingly, the mRNA for the long form of ObR in the db/db mice encodes a protein with an identical structure to the naturally occurring short form. The loss of this carboxyterminal region is proposed to render the ObR inactive and is predicted to generate the obese phenotype in db/db mice.

Sequence information indicated that ObR might exert a signaling action similar to that of G-CSFR, LIFR, and gp130 (Stahl & Yancopoulos, 1993, Cell 74:587-590; Kishimoto, et al., 1995, Blood 86:1243-1254). Signaling by these receptors entails, among others, the activation of receptor-associated kinases of the Janus kinase family which contribute to the phosphorylation and activation of the DNA binding activity of STAT1, STAT3 and STAT5 (Ihle, 1995, Nature 377:591-594; Kishimoto, et al., 1995, Blood 86:1243-1254). This process, in turn, has been correlated with induced transcription of genes that contain binding sites for the STAT proteins such as the hepatic genes encoding acute phase plasma proteins (Lai et al., 1995, J. Biol. Chem. 270:23254-23257). To address whether the cloned ObR isoforms are indeed signaling receptor molecules, ObR was introduced into established tissue culture cell lines and the cell response to OB treatment was compared with that mediated by the structurally-related IL-6-type cytokine receptors. The results presented in the example infra demonstrate that the long form ObR is a signal-transducing molecule. In particular, the results show that the long form ObR shares functional specificity with IL-6-type cytokine receptors. The results also show that the short form ObR does not signal via the STAT pathway transduced by the ObR long form. Thus, it appears that the long form ObR, but not the short form, is involved in maintenance of body weight.

The ObR amino acid sequences of the invention include the amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 1 (SEQ ID NO:2), FIG. 3 (SEQ ID NO:4) or FIG. 6, or the amino acid sequence encoded by cDNA clone famj5312 as deposited with the ATCC, or encoded by cDNA clone fahj5312d as deposited with the ATCC, or encoded by the human genomic clone h-obR-p87, as deposited with the ATCC. Further, ObRs of other species are encompassed by the invention. In fact, any ObR protein encoded by the obR nucleotide sequences described in Section 5.1, above, are within the scope of the invention.

The invention also encompasses proteins that are functionally equivalent to the ObR encoded by the nucleotide sequences described in Section 5.1, as judged by any of a number of criteria, including but not limited to the ability to bind Ob, the binding affinity for Ob, the resulting biological effect of Ob binding, for example, signal transduction, a change in cellular metabolism (e.g., ion flux, tyrosine phosphorylation) or change in phenotype when the ObR equivalent is present in an appropriate cell type (such as the amelioration, prevention or delay of the obese phenotype, i.e., the db or ob phenotype), or weight loss. Such functionally equivalent ObR proteins include but are not limited to additions or substitutions of amino acid residues within the amino acid sequence encoded by the obR nucleotide sequences described, above, in Section 5.1, but which result in a silent change, thus producing a functionally equivalent gene product. Amino acid substitutions may be made on the basis of similarity in polarity, charge, solubility, hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, and/or the amphipathic nature of the residues involved. For example, nonpolar (hydrophobic) amino acids include alanine, leucine, isoleucine, valine, proline, phenylalanine, tryptophan, and methionine; polar neutral amino acids include glycine, serine, threonine, cysteine, tyrosine, asparagine, and glutamine; positively charged (basic) amino acids include arginine, lysine, and histidine; and negatively charged (acidic) amino acids include aspartic acid and glutamic acid.

While random mutations can be made to obR DNA (using random mutagenesis techniques well known to those skilled in the art) and the resulting mutant ObRs tested for activity, site-directed mutations of the obR coding sequence can be engineered (using site-directed mutagenesis techniques well known to those skilled in the art) to generate mutant ObRs with increased function, for example, higher binding affinity for Ob, and/or greater signalling capacity; or decreased function, for example, lower binding affinity for Ob, and/or decreased signal transduction capacity.

For example, the alignment of mouse short form ObR (FIG. 1) and the human ObR homolog (FIG. 3) is shown in FIG. 5 in which identical amino acid residues are indicated by a star. Mutant ObRs can be engineered so that regions of identity (indicated by stars in FIG. 5) are maintained, whereas the variable residues (unstarred in FIG. 5) are altered, for example, by deletion or insertion of an amino acid residue(s) or by substitution of one or more different amino acid residues. Conservative alterations at the variable positions can be engineered in order to produce a mutant ObR that retains function; for example, Ob binding affinity or signal transduction capability or both. Non-conservative changes can be engineered at these variable positions to alter function, for example, Ob binding affinity or signal transduction capability, or both. Alternatively, where alteration of function is desired, deletion or non-conservative alterations of the conserved regions (i.e., identical amino acids indicated by stars in FIG. 5) can be engineered. For example, deletion or non-conservative alterations (substitutions or insertions) of the CD, for example, amino acid residues 861-894 (FIG. 1) of murine ObR, or amino acid residues 863-1165 (FIG. 3) of human ObR, or portions of the CD, for example, amino acid residues 861-884 (FIG. 1) of murine ObR, or amino acid residues 863-886 (FIG. 3) of human ObR (the box 1 Jak interaction domain) can be engineered to produce a mutant ObR that binds Ob but is signalling-incompetent. Non-conservative alterations to the starred residues in the ECD shown in FIG. 5 can be engineered to produce mutant ObRs with altered binding affinity for Ob. The same mutation strategy can also be used to design mutant ObRs based on the alignment of murine long ObR form and the human ObR homolog shown in FIG. 7 in which identical amino acid residues are indicated by a double asterisk.

FIG. 4 shows the alignment of the ECD of murine ObR with human gp130, in which identical residues are indicated in black, and conservative changes are indicated in grey. Presumably, regions of identity and conservation are important for maintaining tertiary structure of the ECD, whereas the variable regions may contribute to specificity of each receptor for its ligand. Therefore, ObR mutants with altered binding affinity for Ob may be engineered by altering the variable regions shown in FIG. 4. Such ObR mutants can be designed so as to preserve the ObR amino acid sequences that are boxed in FIG. 4 (both black and grey boxes) or to contain one or more conservative substitutions derived from the gp130 sequence shown in the grey boxes of FIG. 4.

Other mutations to the obR coding sequence can be made to generate ObRs that are better suited for expression, scale up, etc. in the host cells chosen. For example, cysteine residues can be deleted or substituted with another amino acid in order to eliminate disulfide bridges; N-linked glycosylation sites can be altered or eliminated to achieve, for example, expression of a homogeneous product that is more easily recovered and purified from yeast hosts which are known to hyperglycosylate N-linked sites. To this end, a variety of amino acid substitutions at one or both of the first or third amino acid positions of any one or more of the glycosylation recognition sequences which occur in the ECD (N-X-S or N-X-T), and/or an amino acid deletion at the second position of any one or more such recognition sequences in the ECD will prevent glycosylation of the ObR at the modified tripeptide sequence. (See, e.g., Miyajima et al., 1986, EMBO J. 5:1193-1197).

Peptides corresponding to one or more domains of the ObR (e.g., ECD, TM, or CD), truncated or deleted ObRs (e.g., ObR in which the TM and/or CD is deleted) as well as fusion proteins in which the full length ObR, an ObR peptide or truncated ObR is fused to an unrelated protein are also within the scope of the invention and can be designed on the basis of the obR nucleotide and ObR amino acid sequences disclosed in this Section and in Section 5.1, above. Such fusion proteins include but are not limited to IgFc fusions which stabilize the ObR protein or peptide and prolong half-life in vivo; or fusions to any amino acid sequence that allows the fusion protein to be anchored to the cell membrane, allowing the ECD to be exhibited on the cell surface; or fusions to an enzyme, fluorescent protein, or luminescent protein which provide a marker function.

While the ObR polypeptides and peptides can be chemically synthesized (e.g., see Creighton, 1983, Proteins: Structures and Molecular Principles, W.H. Freeman & Co., N.Y.), large polypeptides derived from the ObR and the full length ObR itself may advantageously be produced by recombinant DNA technology using techniques well known in the art for expressing nucleic acid containing obR gene sequences and/or coding sequences. Such methods can be used to construct expression vectors containing the obR nucleotide sequences described in Section 5.1 and appropriate transcriptional and translational control signals. These methods include, for example, in vitro recombinant DNA techniques, synthetic techniques, and in vivo genetic recombination. See, for example, the techniques described in Sambrook et al., 1989, supra, and Ausubel et al., 1989, supra. Alternatively, RNA capable of encoding obR nucleotide sequences may be chemically synthesized using, for example, synthesizers. See, for example, the techniques described in Oligonucleotide Synthesis, 1984, Gait, M. J. ed., IRL Press, Oxford, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

A variety of host-expression vector systems may be utilized to express the obR nucleotide sequences of the invention. Where the ObR peptide or polypeptide is a soluble derivative (e.g., ObR peptides corresponding to the ECD; truncated or deleted ObR in which the TM and/or CD are deleted) the peptide or polypeptide can be recovered from the culture, i.e., from the host cell in cases where the ObR peptide or polypeptide is not secreted, and from the culture media in cases where the ObR peptide or polypeptide is secreted by the cells. However, the expression systems also encompass engineered host cells that express the ObR or functional equivalents in situ, i.e., anchored in the cell membrane. Purification or enrichment of the ObR from such expression systems can be accomplished using appropriate detergents and lipid micelles and methods well known to those skilled in the art. However, such engineered host cells themselves may be used in situations where it is important not only to retain the structural and functional characteristics of the ObR, but to assess biological activity, e.g., in drug screening assays.

The expression systems that may be used for purposes of the invention include but are not limited to microorganisms such as bacteria (e.g., E. coli, B. subtilis) transformed with recombinant bacteriophage DNA, plasmid DNA or cosmid DNA expression vectors containing obR nucleotide sequences; yeast (e.g., Saccharomyces, Pichia) transformed with recombinant yeast expression vectors containing the obR nucleotide sequences; insect cell systems infected with recombinant virus expression vectors (e.g., baculovirus) containing the obR sequences; plant cell systems infected with recombinant virus expression vectors (e.g., cauliflower mosaic virus, CaMV; tobacco mosaic virus, TMV) or transformed with recombinant plasmid expression vectors (e.g., Ti plasmid) containing obR nucleotide sequences; or mammalian cell systems (e.g., COS, CHO, BHK, 293, 3T3) harboring recombinant expression constructs containing promoters derived from the genome of mammalian cells (e.g., metallothionein promoter) or from mammalian viruses (e.g., the adenovirus late promoter; the vaccinia virus 7.5K promoter).

In bacterial systems, a number of expression vectors may be advantageously selected depending upon the use intended for the obR gene product being expressed. For example, when a large quantity of such a protein is to be produced, for the generation of pharmaceutical compositions of ObR protein or for raising antibodies to the ObR protein, for example, vectors which direct the expression of high levels of fusion protein products that are readily purified may be desirable. Such vectors include, but are not limited to, the E. coli expression vector pUR278 (Ruther et al., 1983, EMBO J. 2:1791), in which the obR coding sequence may be ligated individually into the vector in frame with the lacZ coding region so that a fusion protein is produced; pIN vectors (Inouye & Inouye, 1985, Nucleic Acids Res. 13:3101-3109; Van Heeke & Schuster, 1989, J. Biol. Chem. 264:5503-5509); and the like. pGEX vectors may also be used to express foreign polypeptides as fusion proteins with glutathione S-transferase (GST). In general, such fusion proteins are soluble and can easily be purified from lysed cells by adsorption to glutathione-agarose beads followed by elution in the presence of free glutathione. The PGEX vectors are designed to include thrombin or factor Xa protease cleavage sites so that the cloned target gene product can be released from the GST moiety.

In an insect system, Autographa californica, nuclear polyhidrosis virus (AcNPV) is used as a vector to express foreign genes. The virus grows in Spodoptera frugiperda cells. The obR gene coding sequence may be cloned individually into non-essential regions (for example the polyhedrin gene) of the virus and placed under control of an AcNPV promoter (for example the polyhedrin promoter). Successful insertion of obR gene coding sequence will result in inactivation of the polyhedrin gene and production of non-occluded recombinant virus (i.e., virus lacking the proteinaceous coat coded for by the polyhedrin gene). These recombinant viruses are then used to infect Spodoptera frugiperda cells in which the inserted gene is expressed. (e.g., see Smith et al., 1983, J. Virol. 46:584; Smith, U.S. Pat. No. 4,215,051).

In mammalian host cells, a number of viral-based expression systems may be utilized. In cases where an adenovirus is used as an expression vector, the obR nucleotide sequence of interest may be ligated to an adenovirus transcription/translation control complex, e.g., the late promoter and tripartite leader sequence. This chimeric gene may then be inserted in the adenovirus genome by in vitro or in vivo recombination. Insertion in a non-essential region of the viral genome (e.g., region E1 or E3) will result in a recombinant virus that is viable and capable of expressing the obR gene product in infected hosts. (E.g., See Logan & Shenk, 1984, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81:3655-3659). Specific initiation signals may also be required for efficient translation of inserted obR nucleotide sequences. These signals include the ATG initiation codon and adjacent sequences. In cases where an entire obR gene or cDNA, including its own initiation codon and adjacent sequences, is inserted into the appropriate expression vector, no additional translational control signals may be needed. However, in cases where only a portion of the obR coding sequence is inserted, exogenous translational control signals, including, perhaps, the ATG initiation codon, must be provided. Furthermore, the initiation codon must be in phase with the reading frame of the desired coding sequence to ensure translation of the entire insert. These exogenous translational control signals and initiation codons can be of a variety of origins, both natural and synthetic. The efficiency of expression may be enhanced by the inclusion of appropriate transcription enhancer elements, transcription terminators, etc. (See Bittner et al., 1987, Methods in Enzymol. 153:516-544).

In addition, a host cell strain may be chosen which modulates the expression of the inserted sequences, or modifies and processes the gene product in the specific fashion desired. Such modifications (e.g., glycosylation) and processing (e.g., cleavage) of protein products may be important for the function of the protein. Different host cells have characteristic and specific mechanisms for the post-translational processing and modification of proteins and gene products. Appropriate cell lines or host systems can be chosen to ensure the correct modification and processing of the foreign protein expressed. To this end, eukaryotic host cells which possess the cellular machinery for proper processing of the primary transcript, glycosylation, and phosphorylation of the gene product may be used. Such mammalian host cells include but are not limited to CHO, VERO, BHK, HeLa, COS, MDCK, 293, 3T3, WI38, and in particular, choroid plexus cell lines.

For long-term, high-yield production of recombinant proteins, stable expression is preferred. For example, cell lines which stably express the obR sequences described above may be engineered. Rather than using expression vectors which contain viral origins of replication, host cells can be transformed with DNA controlled by appropriate expression control elements (e.g., promoter, enhancer sequences, transcription terminators, polyadenylation sites, etc.), and a selectable marker. Following the introduction of the foreign DNA, engineered cells may be allowed to grow for 1-2 days in an enriched media, and then are switched to a selective media. The selectable marker in the recombinant plasmid confers resistance to the selection and allows cells to stably integrate the plasmid into their chromosomes and grow to form foci which in turn can be cloned and expanded into cell lines. This method may advantageously be used to engineer cell lines which express the obR gene product. Such engineered cell lines may be particularly useful in screening and evaluation of compounds that affect the endogenous activity of the obR gene product.

A number of selection systems may be used, including but not limited to the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (Wigler, et al., 1977, Cell 11:223), hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (Szybalska & Szybalski, 1962, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 48:2026), and adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (Lowy, et al., 1980, Cell 22:817) genes can be employed in tk⁻, hgprt⁻ or aprt⁻ cells, respectively. Also, antimetabolite resistance can be used as the basis of selection for the following genes: dhfr, which confers resistance to methotrexate (Wigler et al., 1980, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 77:3567; O'Hare, et al., 1981, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 78:1527); gpt, which confers resistance to mycophenolic acid (Mulligan & Berg, 1981, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 78:2072); neo, which confers resistance to the aminoglycoside G-418 (Colberre-Garapin, et al., 1981, J. Mol. Biol. 150:1); and hygro, which confers resistance to hygromycin (Santerre, et al., 1984, Gene 30:147).

Alternatively, any fusion protein may be readily purified by utilizing an antibody specific for the fusion protein being expressed. For example, a system described by Janknecht et al. allows for the ready purification of non-denatured fusion proteins expressed in human cell lines (Janknecht, et al., 1991, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 88:8972-8976). In this system, the gene of interest is subcloned into a vaccinia recombination plasmid such that the gene's open reading frame is translationally fused to an amino-terminal tag consisting of six histidine residues. Extracts from cells infected with recombinant vaccinia virus are loaded onto Ni²⁺.nitriloacetic acid-agarose columns and histidine-tagged proteins are selectively eluted with imidazole-containing buffers.

The obR gene products can also be expressed in transgenic animals. Animals of any species, including, but not limited to, mice, rats, rabbits, guinea pigs, pigs, micro-pigs, goats, and non-human primates, for example, baboons, monkeys, and chimpanzees may be used to generate obR transgenic animals.

Any technique known in the art may be used to introduce the obR transgene into animals to produce the founder lines of transgenic animals. Such techniques include, but are not limited to pronuclear microinjection (Hoppe, P. C. and Wagner, T. E., 1989, U.S. Pat. No. 4,873,191); retrovirus mediated gene transfer into germ lines (Van der Putten et al., 1985, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 82:6148-6152); gene targeting in embryonic stem cells (Thompson et al., 1989, Cell 56:313-321); electroporation of embryos (Lo, 1983, Mol. Cell. Biol. 3:1803-1814); and sperm-mediated gene transfer (Lavitrano et al., 1989, Cell 57:717-723); etc. For a review of such techniques, see Gordon, 1989, Transgenic Animals, Intl. Rev. Cytol. 115:171-229, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

The present invention provides for transgenic animals that carry the obR transgene in all their cells, as well as animals which carry the transgene in some, but not all their cells, i.e., mosaic animals. The transgene may be integrated as a single transgene or in concatamers, e.g., head-to-head tandems or head-to-tail tandems. The transgene may also be selectively introduced into and activated in a particular cell type by following, for example, the teaching of Lasko et al. (Lasko, M. et al., 1992, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:6232-6236). The regulatory sequences required for such a cell-type specific activation will depend upon the particular cell type of interest, and will be apparent to those of skill in the art. When it is desired that the obR gene transgene be integrated into the chromosomal site of the endogenous obR gene, gene targeting is preferred. Briefly, when such a technique is to be utilized, vectors containing some nucleotide sequences homologous to the endogenous obR gene are designed for the purpose of integrating, via homologous recombination with chromosomal sequences, into and disrupting the function of the nucleotide sequence of the endogenous obR gene. The transgene may also be selectively introduced into a particular cell type, thus inactivating the endogenous obR gene in only that cell type, by following, for example, the teaching of Gu et al. (Gu, et al., 1994, Science 265:103-106). The regulatory sequences required for such a cell-type specific inactivation will depend upon the particular cell type of interest, and will be apparent to those of skill in the art.

Once transgenic animals have been generated, the expression of the recombinant obR gene may be assayed utilizing standard techniques. Initial screening may be accomplished by Southern blot analysis or PCR techniques to analyze animal tissues to assay whether integration of the transgene has taken place. The level of mRNA expression of the transgene in the tissues of the transgenic animals may also be assessed using techniques which include but are not limited to Northern blot analysis of tissue samples obtained from the animal, in situ hybridization analysis, and RT-PCR. Samples of obR gene-expressing tissue, may also be evaluated immunocytochemically using antibodies specific for the obR transgene product.

5.3. Antibodies to ObR Proteins

Antibodies that specifically recognize one or more epitopes of ObR, or epitopes of conserved variants of ObR, or peptide fragments of the ObR are also encompassed by the invention. Such antibodies include but are not limited to polyclonal antibodies, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), humanized or chimeric antibodies, single chain antibodies, Fab fragments, F(ab′)₂ fragments, fragments produced by a Fab expression library, anti-idiotypic (anti-Id) antibodies, and epitope-binding fragments of any of the above.

The antibodies of the invention may be used, for example, in the detection of the ObR in a biological sample and may, therefore, be utilized as part of a diagnostic or prognostic technique whereby patients may be tested for abnormal amounts of ObR. Such antibodies may also be utilized in conjunction with, for example, compound screening schemes, as described, below, in Section 5.5, for the evaluation of the effect of test compounds on expression and/or activity of the obR gene product. Additionally, such antibodies can be used in conjunction with the gene therapy techniques described, below, in Section 5.6, to, for example, evaluate the normal and/or engineered ObR-expressing cells prior to their introduction into the patient. Such antibodies may additionally be used as a method for the inhibition of abnormal ObR activity. Thus, such antibodies may, therefore, be utilized as part of weight disorder treatment methods.

For the production of antibodies, various host animals may be immunized by injection with the ObR, an ObR peptide (e.g., one corresponding the a functional domain of the receptor, such as ECD, TM or CD), truncated ObR polypeptides (ObR in which one or more domains, e.g., the TM or CD, has been deleted), functional equivalents of the ObR or mutants of the ObR. Such host animals may include but are not limited to rabbits, mice, and rats, to name but a few. Various adjuvants may be used to increase the immunological response, depending on the host species, including but not limited to Freund's (complete and incomplete), mineral gels such as aluminum hydroxide, surface active substances such as lysolecithin, pluronic polyols, polyanions, peptides, oil emulsions, keyhole limpet hemocyanin, dinitrophenol, and potentially useful human adjuvants such as BCG (bacille Calmette-Guerin) and Corynebacterium parvum. Polyclonal antibodies are heterogeneous populations of antibody molecules derived from the sera of the immunized animals.

Monoclonal antibodies, which are homogeneous populations of antibodies to a particular antigen, may be obtained by any technique which provides for the production of antibody molecules by continuous cell lines in culture. These include, but are not limited to, the hybridoma technique of Kohler and Milstein (1975, Nature 256:495-497; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,376,110), the human B-cell hybridoma technique (Kosbor et al., 1983, Immunology Today 4:72; Cole et al., 1983, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 80:2026-2030), and the EBV-hybridoma technique (Cole et al., 1985, Monoclonal Antibodies And Cancer Therapy, Alan R. Liss, Inc., pp. 77-96). Such antibodies may be of any immunoglobulin class including IgG, IgM, IgE, IgA, IgD and any subclass thereof. The hybridoma producing the mAb of this invention may be cultivated in vitro or in vivo. Production of high titers of mAbs in vivo makes this the presently preferred method of production.

In addition, techniques developed for the production of “chimeric antibodies” (Morrison et al., 1984, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81:6851-6855; Neuberger et al., 1984, Nature 312:604-608; Takeda et al., 1985, Nature 314:452-454) by splicing the genes from a mouse antibody molecule of appropriate antigen specificity together with genes from a human antibody molecule of appropriate biological activity can be used. A chimeric antibody is a molecule in which different portions are derived from different animal species, such as those having a variable region derived from a murine mAb and a human immunoglobulin constant region.

Alternatively, techniques described for the production of single chain antibodies (U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,778; Bird, 1988, Science 242:423-426; Huston et al., 1988, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85:5879-5883; and Ward et al., 1989, Nature 334:544-546) can be adapted to produce single chain antibodies against obR gene products. Single chain antibodies are formed by linking the heavy and light chain fragments of the Fv region via an amino acid bridge, resulting in a single chain polypeptide.

Antibody fragments which recognize specific epitopes may be generated by known techniques. For example, such fragments include but are not limited to: the F(ab′)₂ fragments which can be produced by pepsin digestion of the antibody molecule and the Fab fragments which can be generated by reducing the disulfide bridges of the F(ab′)₂ fragments. Alternatively, Fab expression libraries may be constructed (Huse et al., 1989, Science 246:1275-1281) to allow rapid and easy identification of monoclonal Fab fragments with the desired specificity.

Antibodies to the ObR can, in turn, be utilized to generate anti-idiotype antibodies that “mimic” the ObR, using techniques well known to those skilled in the art. (See, e.g., Greenspan & Bona, 1993, FASEB J. 7 (5):437-444; and Nissinoff, 1991, J. Immunol. 147 (8):2429-2438). For example, antibodies which bind to the ObR ECD and competitively inhibit the binding of Ob to the ObR can be used to generate anti-idiotypes that “mimic” the ECD and, therefore, bind and neutralize Ob. Such neutralizing anti-idiotypes or Fab fragments of such anti-idiotypes can be used in therapeutic regimens to neutralize Ob and promote weight gain.

5.4. Diagnosis of Body Weight Disorder Abnormalities

A variety of methods can be employed for the diagnostic and prognostic evaluation of body weight disorders, including obesity, cachexia and anorexia, and for the identification of subjects having a predisposition to such disorders.

Such methods may, for example, utilize reagents such as the obR nucleotide sequences described in Section 5.1, and ObR antibodies, as described, in Section 5.3. Specifically, such reagents may be used, for example, for: (1) the detection of the presence of obR gene mutations, or the detection of either over- or under-expression of obR mRNA relative to the non-body weight disorder state; (2) the detection of either an over- or an under-abundance of obR gene product relative to the non-body weight disorder state; and (3) the detection of perturbations or abnormalities in the signal transduction pathway mediated by ObR.

The methods described herein may be performed, for example, by utilizing pre-packaged diagnostic kits comprising at least one specific obR nucleotide sequence or ObR antibody reagent described herein, which may be conveniently used, e.g., in clinical settings, to diagnose patients exhibiting body weight disorder abnormalities.

For the detection of obR mutations, any nucleated cell can be used as a starting source for genomic nucleic acid. For the detection of obR gene expression or obR gene products, any cell type or tissue in which the obR gene is expressed, such as, for example, choroid plexus cells, may be utilized.

Nucleic acid-based detection techniques are described, below, in Section 5.4.1. Peptide detection techniques are described, below, in Section 5.4.2.

5.4.1. Detection of the obR Gene and Transcripts

Mutations within the obR gene can be detected by utilizing a number of techniques. Nucleic acid from any nucleated cell can be used as the starting point for such assay techniques, and may be isolated according to standard nucleic acid preparation procedures which are well known to those of skill in the art.

DNA may be used in hybridization or amplification assays of biological samples to detect abnormalities involving obR gene structure, including point mutations, insertions, deletions and chromosomal rearrangements. Such assays may include, but are not limited to, Southern analyses, single stranded conformational polymorphism analyses (SSCP), and PCR analyses.

Such diagnostic methods for the detection of obR gene-specific mutations can involve for example, contacting and incubating nucleic acids including recombinant DNA molecules, cloned genes or degenerate variants thereof, obtained from a sample, for example, derived from a patient sample or other appropriate cellular source, with one or more labeled nucleic acid reagents including recombinant DNA molecules, cloned genes or degenerate variants thereof, as described in Section 5.1, under conditions favorable for the specific annealing of these reagents to their complementary sequences within the obR gene. Preferably, the lengths of these nucleic acid reagents are at least 15 to 30 nucleotides. After incubation, all non-annealed nucleic acids are removed from the nucleic acid:obR molecule hybrid. The presence of nucleic acids which have hybridized, if any such molecules exist, is then detected. Using such a detection scheme, the nucleic acid from the cell type or tissue of interest can be immobilized, for example, to a solid support such as a membrane, or a plastic surface such as that on a microtiter plate or polystyrene beads. In this case, after incubation, non-annealed, labeled nucleic acid reagents of the type described in Section 5.1 are easily removed. Detection of the remaining, annealed, labeled obR nucleic acid reagents is accomplished using standard techniques well-known to those in the art. The obR gene sequences to which the nucleic acid reagents have annealed can be compared to the annealing pattern expected from a normal obR gene sequence in order to determine whether an obR gene mutation is present.

Alternative diagnostic methods for the detection of obR gene specific nucleic acid molecules, in patient samples or other appropriate cell sources, may involve their amplification, for example, by PCR (the experimental embodiment set forth in Mullis, K. B., 1987, U.S. Pat. No. 4,683,202), followed by the detection of the amplified molecules using techniques well known to those of skill in the art. The resulting amplified sequences can be compared to those which would be expected if the nucleic acid-being amplified contained only normal copies of the obR gene in order to determine whether an obR gene mutation exists.

Additionally, well-known genotyping techniques can be performed to identify individuals carrying obR gene mutations. Such techniques include, for example, the use of restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs), which involve sequence variations in one of the recognition sites for the specific restriction enzyme used.

Additionally, improved methods for analyzing DNA polymorphisms, which can be utilized for the identification of obR gene mutations, have been described. These methods capitalize on the presence of variable numbers of short, tandemly repeated DNA sequences between the restriction enzyme sites. For example, Weber (U.S. Pat. No. 5,075,217, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety) describes a DNA marker based on length polymorphisms in blocks of (dC-dA)_(n)-(dG-dT)_(n) short tandem repeats. The average separation of (dC-dA)_(n)-(dG-dT)_(n) blocks is estimated to be 30,000-60,000 bp. Markers that are so closely spaced exhibit a high frequency co-inheritance, and are extremely useful in the identification of genetic mutations, such as, for example, mutations within the obR gene, and the diagnosis of diseases and disorders related to obR mutations.

Also, Caskey et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,364,759, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety) describe a DNA profiling assay for detecting short tri- and tetra-nucleotide repeat sequences. The process includes extracting the DNA of interest, such as the obR gene, amplifying the extracted DNA, and labelling the repeat sequences to form a genotypic map of the individual's DNA.

The level of obR gene expression can also be assayed by detecting and measuring obR transcription. For example, RNA from a cell type or tissue known, or suspected, to express the obR gene, such as brain, especially choroid plexus cells, can be isolated and tested utilizing hybridization or PCR techniques such as those described above. The isolated cells can be obtained from cell culture or from a patient. The analysis of cells taken from culture may be a necessary step in the assessment of cells to be used as part of a cell-based gene therapy technique or, alternatively, to test the effect of compounds on the expression of the obR gene. Such analyses can reveal both quantitative and qualitative aspects of the expression pattern of the obR gene, including activation or inactivation of obR gene expression.

In one embodiment of such a detection scheme, cDNAs are synthesized from the RNAs of interest (e.g., by reverse transcription of the RNA molecule into cDNA). A sequence within the cDNA is then used as the template for a nucleic acid amplification reaction, such as a PCR amplification reaction, or the like. The nucleic acid reagents used as synthesis initiation reagents (e.g., primers) in the reverse transcription and nucleic acid amplification steps of this method are chosen from among the obR nucleic acid reagents described in Section 5.1. The preferred lengths of such nucleic acid reagents are at least 9-30 nucleotides. For detection of the amplified product, the nucleic acid amplification may be performed using radioactively or non-radioactively labeled nucleotides. Alternatively, enough amplified product can be made such that the product can be visualized by standard ethidium bromide staining or by utilizing any other suitable nucleic acid staining method.

Additionally, it is possible to perform such obR gene expression assays in situ, i.e., directly upon tissue sections (fixed and/or frozen) of patient tissue obtained from biopsies or resections, such that no nucleic acid purification is necessary. Nucleic acid reagents such as those described in Section 5.1 may be used as probes and/or primers for such in situ procedures (See, e.g., Nuovo, G. J., 1992, PCR In Situ Hybridization: Protocols And Applications, Raven Press, NY).

Alternatively, if a sufficient quantity of the appropriate cells can be obtained, standard Northern analysis can be performed to determine the level of mRNA expression of the obR gene.

5.4.2. Detection of the obR Gene Products

Antibodies directed against wild type or mutant obR gene products or conserved variants or peptide fragments thereof, which are discussed, above, in Section 5.3, can also be used as body weight disorder diagnostics and prognostics, as described herein. Such diagnostic methods, can be used to detect abnormalities in the level of obR gene expression, or abnormalities in the structure and/or temporal, tissue, cellular, or subcellular location of the ObR, and may be performed in vivo or in vitro, such as, for example, on biopsy tissue.

For example, antibodies directed to epitopes of the ObR ECD can be used in vivo to detect the pattern and level of expression of the ObR in the body. Such antibodies can be labeled, for example, with a radio-opaque or other appropriate compound and injected into a subject in order to visualize binding to the ObR expressed in the body using methods such as X-rays, CAT-scans, or MRI. Labeled antibody fragments, for example, the Fab or single chain antibody comprising the smallest portion of the antigen binding region, are preferred for this purpose to promote crossing the blood-brain barrier and permit labeling ObRs expressed in the choroid plexus.

Additionally, any ObR fusion protein or ObR conjugated protein whose presence can be detected, can be administered. For example, ObR fusion or conjugated proteins labeled with a radio-opaque or other appropriate compound can be administered and visualized in vivo, as discussed, above for labeled antibodies. Further such Ob fusion proteins as AP-Ob on Ob-Ap fusion proteins can be utilized for in vitro diagnostic procedures.

Alternatively, immunoassays or fusion protein detection assays, as described above, can be utilized on biopsy and autopsy samples in vitro to permit assessment of the expression pattern of the ObR. Such assays are not confined to the use of antibodies that define the ObR ECD, but can include the use of antibodies directed to epitopes of any of the domains of the ObR, for example, the ECD, the TM and/or CD. The use of each or all of these labeled antibodies will yield useful information regarding translation and intracellular transport of the ObR to the cell surface, and can identify defects in processing.

The tissue or cell type to be analyzed will generally include those which are known, or suspected, to express the obR gene, such as, for example, choroid plexus cells. The protein isolation methods employed herein can, for example, be such as those described in Harlow and Lane (Harlow, E. and Lane, D., 1988, Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The isolated cells can be derived from cell culture or from a patient. The analysis of cells taken from culture may be a necessary step in the assessment of cells that could be used as part of a cell-based gene therapy technique or, alternatively, to test the effect of compounds on the expression of the obR gene.

For example, antibodies, or fragments of antibodies, such as those described, above, in Section 5.3, useful in the present invention may be used to quantitatively or qualitatively detect the presence of obR gene products or conserved variants or peptide fragments thereof. This can be accomplished, for example, by immunofluorescence techniques employing a fluorescently labeled antibody (see below, this Section) coupled with light microscopic, flow cytometric, or fluorimetric detection. Such techniques are especially preferred if such obR gene products are expressed on the cell surface.

The antibodies (or fragments thereof) or Ob fusion or conjugated proteins useful in the present invention can, additionally, be employed histologically, as in immunofluorescence, immunoelectron microscopy or non-immuno assays, for in situ detection of obR gene products or conserved variants or peptide fragments thereof, or for Ob binding (in the case of labeled Ob fusion protein).

In situ detection may be accomplished by removing a histological specimen from a patient, and applying thereto a labeled antibody or fusion protein of the present invention. The antibody (or fragment) or fusion protein is preferably applied by overlaying the labeled antibody (or fragment) onto a biological sample. Through the use of such a procedure, it is possible to determine not only the presence of the obR gene product, or conserved variants or peptide fragments, or Ob binding, but also its distribution in the examined tissue. Using the present invention, those of ordinary skill will readily perceive that any of a wide variety of histological methods (such as staining procedures) can be modified in order to achieve such in situ detection.

Immunoassays and non-immunoassays for obR gene products or conserved variants or peptide fragments thereof will typically comprise incubating a sample, such as a biological fluid, a tissue extract, freshly harvested cells, or lysates of cells which have been incubated in cell culture, in the presence of a detectably labeled antibody capable of identifying obR gene products or conserved variants or peptide fragments thereof, and detecting the bound antibody by any of a number of techniques well-known in the art.

The biological sample may be brought in contact with and immobilized onto a solid phase support or carrier such as nitrocellulose, or other solid support which is capable of immobilizing cells, cell particles, or soluble proteins. The support may then be washed with suitable buffers followed by treatment with the detectably labeled ObR antibody or Ob fusion protein. The solid phase support may then be washed with the buffer a second time to remove unbound antibody or fusion protein. The amount of bound label on solid support may then be detected by conventional means.

By “solid phase support or carrier” is intended any support capable of binding an antigen or an antibody. Well-known supports or carriers include glass, polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene, dextran, nylon, amylases, natural and modified celluloses, polyacrylamides, gabbros, and magnetite. The nature of the carrier can be either soluble to some extent or insoluble for the purposes of the present invention. The support material may have virtually any possible structural configuration so long as the coupled molecule is capable of binding to an antigen or antibody. Thus, the support configuration may be spherical, as in a bead, or cylindrical, as in the inside surface of a test tube, or the external surface of a rod. Alternatively, the surface may be flat such as a sheet, test strip, etc. Preferred supports include polystyrene beads. Those skilled in the art will know many other suitable carriers for binding antibody or antigen, or will be able to ascertain the same by use of routine experimentation.

The binding activity of a given lot of ObR antibody or Ob fusion protein may be determined according to well known methods. Those skilled in the art will be able to determine operative and optimal assay conditions for each determination by employing routine experimentation.

With respect to antibodies, one of the ways in which the ObR antibody can be detectably labeled is by linking the same to an enzyme and use in an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) (Voller, A., The Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), 1978, Diagnostic Horizons 2:1-7, Microbiological Associates Quarterly Publication, Walkersville, Md.); Voller, A. et al., 1978, J. Clin. Pathol. 31:507-520; Butler, J. E., 1981, Meth. Enzymol. 73:482-523; Maggio, E. (ed.), 1980, Enzyme Immunoassay, CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla.; Ishikawa, E. et al., (eds.), 1981, Enzyme Immunoassay, Kgaku Shoin, Tokyo). The enzyme which is bound to the antibody will react with an appropriate substrate, preferably a chromogenic substrate, in such a manner as to produce a chemical moiety that can be detected, for example, by spectrophotometric, fluorimetric or by visual means. Enzymes that can be used to detectably label the antibody include, but are not limited to, malate dehydrogenase, staphylococcal nuclease, delta-5-steroid isomerase, yeast alcohol dehydrogenase, alpha-glycerophosphate, dehydrogenase, triose phosphate isomerase, horseradish peroxidase, alkaline phosphatase, asparaginase, glucose oxidase, beta-galactosidase, ribonuclease, urease, catalase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, glucoamylase and acetylcholinesterase. The detection can be accomplished by calorimetric methods that employ a chromogenic substrate for the enzyme. Detection can also be accomplished by visual comparison of the extent of enzymatic reaction of a substrate in comparison with similarly prepared standards.

Detection can also be accomplished using any of a variety of other immunoassays. For example, by radioactively labeling the antibodies or antibody fragments, it is possible to detect ObR through the use of a radioimmunoassay (RIA) (see, for example, Weintraub, B., Principles of Radioimmunoassays, Seventh Training Course on Radioligand Assay Techniques, The Endocrine Society, March, 1986, which is incorporated by reference herein). The radioactive isotope can be detected by such means as the use of a gamma counter or a scintillation counter or by autoradiography.

It is also possible to label the antibody with a fluorescent compound. When the fluorescently labeled antibody is exposed to light of the proper wave length, its presence can then be detected due to fluorescence. Among the most commonly used fluorescent labeling compounds are fluorescein isothiocyanate, rhodamine, phycoerythrin, phycocyanin, allophycocyanin, o-phthaldehyde and fluorescamine.

The antibody can also be detectably labeled using fluorescence emitting metals such as 152Eu, or others of the lanthanide series. These metals can be attached to the antibody using such metal chelating groups as diethylenetriaminepentacetic acid (DTPA) or ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA).

The antibody also can be detectably labeled by coupling it to a chemiluminescent compound. The presence of the chemiluminescent-tagged antibody is then determined by detecting the presence of luminescence that arises during the course of a chemical reaction. Examples of particularly useful chemiluminescent labeling compounds are luminol, isoluminol, theromatic acridinium ester, imidazole, acridinium salt and oxalate ester.

Likewise, a bioluminescent compound may be used to label the antibody of the present invention. Bioluminescence is a type of chemiluminescence found in biological systems, in which a catalytic protein increases the efficiency of the chemiluminescent reaction. The presence of a bioluminescent protein is determined by detecting the presence of luminescence. Important bioluminescent compounds for purposes of labeling are luciferin, luciferase, and aequorin.

5.5. Screening Assays for Compounds that Modulate ObR Expression or Activity

The following assays are designed to identify compounds that interact with (e.g., bind to) ObR (including, but not limited to the ECD or CD of ObR), compounds that interact with (e.g., bind to) intracellular proteins that interact with ObR (including, but not limited to, the TM and CD of ObR), compounds that interfere with the interaction of ObR with transmembrane or intracellular proteins involved in ObR-mediated signal transduction, and to compounds that modulate the activity of an obR gene (i.e., modulate the level of obR gene expression) or modulate the level of ObR. Assays can additionally be utilized which identify compounds that bind to obR gene regulatory sequences (e.g., promoter sequences) and which may modulate obR gene expression. See e.g., Platt, J. Biol. Chem. 269:28558-28562, 1994, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Compounds that can be screened in accordance with the invention include, but are not limited to peptides, antibodies and fragments thereof, and other organic compounds (e.g., peptidomimetics) that bind to the ECD of the ObR and either mimic the activity triggered by the natural ligand (i.e., agonists) or inhibit the activity triggered by the natural ligand (i.e., antagonists); as well as peptides, antibodies or fragments thereof, and other organic compounds that mimic the ECD of the ObR (or a portion thereof) and bind to and “neutralize” natural ligand.

Such compounds can include, but are not limited to, peptides such as, for example, soluble peptides, including but not limited to members of random peptide libraries; (see, e.g., Lam, et al., Nature 354:82-84, 1991; Houghten, et al., Nature 354:84-86, 1991), and combinatorial chemistry-derived molecular library made of D- and/or L—configuration amino acids, phosphopeptides (including, but not limited to, members of random or partially degenerate, directed phosphopeptide libraries; see, e.g., Songyang, Z. et al., 1993, Cell 72:767-778), antibodies (including, but not limited to, polyclonal, monoclonal, humanized, anti-idiotypic, chimeric or single chain antibodies, and FAb, F(ab′)₂ and FAb expression library fragments, and epitope-binding fragments thereof), and small organic or inorganic molecules.

Other compounds that can be screened in accordance with the invention include but are not limited to small organic molecules that are able to cross the blood-brain barrier, gain entry into an appropriate cell (e.g., a cell in the choroid plexus or in the hypothalamus) and affect the expression of the obR gene or some other gene involved in the ObR signal transduction pathway (e.g., by interacting with the regulatory region or transcription factors involved in gene expression); or such compounds that affect the activity of the ObR (e.g., by inhibiting or enhancing the enzymatic activity of the CD) or the activity of some other intracellular factor involved in the ObR signal transduction pathway, such as, for example, gp130.

Computer modelling and searching technologies permit identification of compounds, or the improvement of already identified compounds, that can modulate ObR expression or activity. Having identified such a compound or composition, the active sites or regions are identified. Such active sites might typically be ligand binding sites, such as the interaction domains of Ob with ObR itself. The active site can be identified using methods known in the art including, for example, from the amino acid sequences of peptides, from the nucleotide sequences of nucleic acids, or from study of complexes of the relevant compound or composition with its natural ligand. In the latter case, chemical or X-ray crystallographic methods can be used to find the active site by finding where on the factor the complexed ligand is found.

Next, the three dimensional geometric structure of the active site is determined. This can be done by known methods, including X-ray crystallography, which can determine a complete molecular structure. On the other hand, solid or liquid phase NMR can be used to determine certain intra-molecular distances. Any other experimental method of structure determination can be used to obtain partial or complete geometric structures. The geometric structures can be measured with a complexed ligand, natural or artificial, which may increase the accuracy of the active site structure determined.

If an incomplete or insufficiently accurate structure is determined, the methods of computer based numerical modelling can be used to complete the structure or improve its accuracy. Any recognized modelling method may be used, including parameterized models specific to particular biopolymers such as proteins or nucleic acids, molecular dynamics models based on computing molecular motions, statistical mechanics models based on thermal ensembles, or combined models. For most types of models, standard molecular force fields, representing the forces between constituent atoms and groups, are necessary, and can be selected from force fields known in physical chemistry. The incomplete or less accurate experimental structures can serve as constraints on the complete and more accurate structures computed by these modeling methods.

Finally, having determined the structure of the active site, either experimentally, by modeling, or by a combination, candidate modulating compounds can be identified by searching databases containing compounds along with information on their molecular structure. Such a search seeks compounds having structures that match the determined active site structure and that interact with the groups defining the active site. Such a seach can be manual, but is preferably computer assisted. Compounds found from this search are potential ObR modulating compounds.

Alternatively, these methods can be used to identify improved modulating compounds from an already known modulating compound or ligand. The composition of the known compound can be modified and the structural effects of modification can be determined using the experimental and computer modelling methods described above applied to the new composition. The altered structure is then compared to the active site structure of the compound to determine if an improved fit or interaction results. In this manner, systematic variations in composition, such as by varying side groups, can be quickly evaluated to obtain modified modulating compounds or ligands of improved specificity or activity.

Further experimental and computer modeling methods useful to identify modulating compounds based upon identification of the active sites of Ob, ObR, and related transduction and transcription factors will be apparent to those of skill in the art.

Examples of molecular modelling systems are the CHARMm and QUANTA programs (Polygen Corporation, Waltham, Mass.). CHARMm performs the energy minimization and molecular dynamics functions. QUANTA performs the construction, graphic modelling and analysis of molecular structure. QUANTA allows interactive construction, modification, visualization, and analysis of the behavior of molecules with each other.

A number of articles review computer modelling of drugs interactive with specific proteins, such as Rotivinen, et al., 1988, Acta Pharmaceutical Fennica 97:159-166; Ripka, New Scientist 54-57 (Jun. 16, 1988); McKinaly and Rossmann, 1989, Annu. Rev. Pharmacol. Toxiciol. 29:111-122; Perry and Davies, OSAR: Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships in Drug Design pp. 189-193 (Alan R. Liss, Inc. 1989); Lewis and Dean, 1989, Proc. R. Soc. Lond. 236:125-140 and 141-162; and, with respect to a model receptor for nucleic acid components, Askew et al., 1989, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 111:1082-1090. Other computer programs that screen and graphically depict chemicals are available from companies such as BioDesign, Inc. (Pasadena, Calif.), Allelix, Inc. (Mississauga, Ontario, Canada), and Hypercube, Inc. (Cambridge, Ontario). Although these are primarily designed for application to drugs specific to particular proteins, they can be adapted to design of drugs specific to regions of DNA or RNA, once that region is identified.

Although described above with reference to design and generation of compounds which could alter binding, one could also screen libraries of known compounds, including natural products or synthetic chemicals, and biologically active materials, including proteins, for compounds which are inhibitors or activators.

Compounds identified via assays such as those described herein may be useful, for example, in elaborating the biological function of the obR gene product, and for ameliorating body weight disorders. Assays for testing the effectiveness of compounds, identified by, for example, techniques such as those described in Section 5.5.1 through 5.5.3, are discussed, below, in Section 5.5.4.

5.5.1. In Vitro Screening Assays for Compounds that Bind to ObR

In vitro systems may be designed to identify compounds capable of interacting with (e.g., binding to) ObR (including, but not limited to, the ECD or CD of ObR). Compounds identified can be used, for example, in modulating the activity of wild type and/or mutant obR gene products; in elaborating the biological function of the ObR; in screens for identifying compounds that disrupt normal ObR interactions; or can in themselves disrupt such interactions.

The principle of the assays used to identify compounds that bind to the ObR involves preparing a reaction mixture of the ObR and the test compound under conditions and for a time sufficient to allow the two components to interact and bind, thus forming a complex which can be removed and/or detected in the reaction mixture. The ObR species used can vary depending upon the goal of the screening assay. For example, where agonists of the natural ligand are sought, the full length ObR, or a soluble truncated ObR, for example, in which the TM and/or CD is deleted from the molecule, a peptide corresponding to the ECD or a fusion protein containing the ObR ECD fused to a protein or polypeptide that affords advantages in the assay system (e.g., labeling, isolation of the resulting complex, etc.) can be utilized. Where compounds that interact with the cytoplasmic domain are sought to be identified, peptides corresponding to the ObR CD and fusion proteins containing the ObR CD can be used.

The screening assays can be conducted in a variety of ways. For example, one method to conduct such an assay would involve anchoring the ObR protein, polypeptide, peptide or fusion protein or the test substance onto a solid phase and detecting ObR/test compound complexes anchored on the solid phase at the end of the reaction. In one embodiment of such a method, the ObR reactant may be anchored onto a solid surface, and the test compound, which is not anchored, may be labeled, either directly or indirectly.

In practice, microtiter plates may conveniently be utilized as the solid phase. The anchored component can be immobilized by non-covalent or covalent attachments. Non-covalent attachment can be accomplished by simply coating the solid surface with a solution of the protein and drying. Alternatively, an immobilized antibody, preferably a monoclonal antibody, specific for the protein to be immobilized can be used to anchor the protein to the solid surface. The surfaces can be prepared in advance and stored.

In order to conduct the assay, the nonimmobilized component is added to the coated surface containing the anchored component. After the reaction is complete, unreacted components are removed (e.g., by washing) under conditions such that any complexes formed will remain immobilized on the solid surface. The detection of complexes anchored on the solid surface can be accomplished in a number of ways. Where the previously nonimmobilized component is pre-labeled, the detection of label immobilized on the surface indicates that complexes were formed. Where the previously nonimmobilized component is not pre-labeled, an indirect label can be used to detect complexes anchored on the surface; for example, using a labeled antibody specific for the previously nonimmobilized component (the antibody, in turn, can be directly labeled or indirectly labeled with a labeled anti-Ig antibody).

Alternatively, a reaction can be conducted in a liquid phase, the reaction products separated from unreacted components, and complexes detected; for example, using an immobilized antibody specific for ObR protein, polypeptide, peptide or fusion protein or the test compound to anchor any complexes formed in solution, and a labeled antibody specific for the other component of the possible complex to detect anchored complexes.

Alternatively, cell-based assays can be used to identify compounds that interact with ObR. To this end, cell lines that express ObR, or cell lines (e.g., COS cells, CHO cells, fibroblasts, etc.) that have been genetically engineered to express ObR (e.g., by transfection or transduction of ObR DNA) can be used. Interaction of the test compound with, for example, the ECD of obR expressed by the host cell can be determined by comparison or competition with native Ob.

5.5.2. Assays for Intracellular Proteins that Interact with the ObR

Any method suitable for detecting protein-protein interactions may be employed for identifying transmembrane proteins or intracellular proteins that interact with ObR. Among the traditional methods which may be employed are co-immunoprecipitation, crosslinking and co-purification through gradients or chromatographic columns of cell lysates or proteins obtained from cell lysates and the ObR to identify proteins in the lysate that interact with the ObR. For these assays, the ObR component used can be a full length ObR, a soluble derivative lacking the membrane-anchoring region (e.g., a truncated ObR in which the TM is deleted resulting in a truncated molecule containing the ECD fused to the CD), a peptide corresponding to the CD or a fusion protein containing the CD of ObR. Once isolated, such an intracellular protein can be identified and can, in turn, be used, in conjunction with standard techniques, to identify proteins with which it interacts. For example, at least a portion of the amino acid sequence of an intracellular protein which interacts with the ObR can be ascertained using techniques well known to those of skill in the art, such as via the Edman degradation technique. (See, e.g., Creighton, 1983, Proteins: Structures and Molecular Principles, W.H. Freeman & Co., N.Y., pp. 34-49). The amino acid sequence obtained may be used as a guide for the generation of oligonucleotide mixtures that can be used to screen for gene sequences encoding such intracellular proteins. Screening may be accomplished, for example, by standard hybridization or PCR techniques. Techniques for the generation of oligonucleotide mixtures and the screening are well-known. (See, e.g., Ausubel, supra, and PCR Protocols: A Guide to Methods and Applications, 1990, Innis, M. et al., eds. Academic Press, Inc., New York).

Additionally, methods may be employed that result in the simultaneous identification of genes which encode the transmembrane or intracellular proteins interacting with ObR. These methods include, for example, probing expression libraries, in a manner similar to the well known technique of antibody probing of λgt11 libraries, using labeled ObR protein, or an ObR polypeptide, peptide, or fusion protein, e.g., an ObR polypeptide or ObR domain fused to a marker (e.g., an enzyme, fluorophore, luminescent protein, or dye), or an Ig-Fc domain.

One method that detects protein interactions in vivo, the two-hybrid system, is described in detail for illustration only and not by way of limitation. One version of this system has been described (Chien et al., 1991, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 88:9578-9582) and is commercially available from Clontech (Palo Alto, Calif.).

Briefly, utilizing such a system, plasmids are constructed that encode two hybrid proteins: one plasmid consists of nucleotides encoding the DNA-binding domain of a transcription activator protein fused to an obR nucleotide sequence encoding ObR, an ObR polypeptide, peptide, or fusion protein, and the other plasmid consists of nucleotides encoding the transcription activator protein's activation domain fused to a cDNA encoding an unknown protein which has been recombined into this plasmid as part of a cDNA library. The DNA-binding domain fusion plasmid and the cDNA library are transformed into a strain of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae that contains a reporter gene (e.g., HBS or lacZ) whose regulatory region contains the transcription activator's binding site. Either hybrid protein alone cannot activate transcription of the reporter gene: the DNA-binding domain hybrid cannot because it does not provide activation function and the activation domain hybrid cannot because it cannot localize to the activator's binding sites. Interaction of the two hybrid proteins reconstitutes the functional activator protein and results in expression of the reporter gene, which is detected by an assay for the reporter gene product.

The two-hybrid system or related methodology can be used to screen activation domain libraries for proteins that interact with the “bait” gene product. By way of example, and not by way of limitation, ObR may be used as the bait gene product. Total genomic or cDNA sequences are fused to the DNA encoding an activation domain. This library and a plasmid encoding a hybrid of a bait obR gene product fused to the DNA-binding domain are cotransformed into a yeast reporter strain, and the resulting transformants are screened for those that express the reporter gene. For example, and not by way of limitation, a bait obR gene sequence, such as the open reading frame of obR (or a domain of obR), as depicted in FIG. 1, FIG. 3, or FIG. 6 can be cloned into a vector such that it is translationally fused to the DNA encoding the DNA-binding domain of the GAL4 protein. These colonies are purified and the library plasmids responsible for reporter gene expression are isolated. DNA sequencing is then used to identify the proteins encoded by the library plasmids.

A cDNA library of the cell line from which proteins that interact with bait obR gene product are to be detected can be made using methods routinely practiced in the art. According to the particular system described herein, for example, the cDNA fragments can be inserted into a vector such that they are translationally fused to the transcriptional activation domain of GAL4. This library can be co-transformed along with the bait obR gene-GAL4 fusion plasmid into a yeast strain which contains a lacZ gene driven by a promoter which contains GAL4 activation sequence. A cDNA encoded protein, fused to GAL4 transcriptional activation domain, that interacts with bait obR gene product will reconstitute an active GAL4 protein and thereby drive expression of the HIS3 gene. Colonies which express HIS3 can be detected by their growth on petri dishes containing semi-solid agar based media lacking histidine. The cDNA can then be purified from these strains, and used to produce and isolate the bait obR gene-interacting protein using techniques routinely practiced in the art.

5.5.3. Assays for Compounds that Interfere with ObR/Intracellular or ObR/Transmembrane Macromolecule Interaction

The macromolecules that interact with the ObR are referred to, for purposes of this discussion, as “binding partners.” These binding partners are likely to be involved in the ObR signal transduction pathway, and therefore, in the role of ObR in body weight regulation. Therefore, it is desirable to identify compounds that interfere with or disrupt the interaction of such binding partners with Ob. These compounds can be used, for example, to regulate the activity of the ObR, and thereby control body weight disorders associated with ObR activity.

The basic principle of the assay systems used to identify compounds that interfere with the interaction between the ObR and its binding partner or partners involves preparing a reaction mixture containing ObR protein, polypeptide, peptide, or fusion protein as described in Sections 5.5.1 and 5.5.2 above, and the binding partner under conditions and for a time sufficient to allow the two to interact and bind, thus forming a complex. In order to test a compound for inhibitory activity, the reaction mixture is prepared in the presence and absence of the test compound. The test compound may be initially included in the reaction mixture, or may be added at a time subsequent to the addition of the ObR moiety and its binding partner. Control reaction mixtures are incubated without the test compound or with a placebo. The formation of any complexes between the ObR moiety and the binding partner is then detected. The formation of a complex in the control reaction, but not in the reaction mixture containing the test compound, indicates that the compound interferes with the interaction of the ObR and the interactive binding partner. Additionally, complex formation within reaction mixtures containing the test compound and normal ObR protein may also be compared to complex formation within reaction mixtures containing the test compound and a mutant ObR. This comparison may be important in those cases wherein it is desirable to identify compounds that disrupt interactions of mutant but not normal ObRs.

The assay for compounds that interfere with the interaction of the ObR and binding partners can be conducted in a heterogeneous or homogeneous format. Heterogeneous assays involve anchoring either the ObR moiety product or the binding partner onto a solid phase and detecting complexes anchored on the solid phase at the end of the reaction. In homogeneous assays, the entire reaction is carried out in a liquid phase. In either approach, the order of addition of reactants can be varied to obtain different information about the compounds being tested. For example, test compounds that interfere with the interaction by competition can be identified by conducting the reaction in the presence of the test substance; i.e., by adding the test substance to the reaction mixture prior to or simultaneously with the ObR moiety and interactive binding partner. Alternatively, test compounds that disrupt preformed complexes, for example, compounds with higher binding constants that displace one of the components from the complex, can be tested by adding the test compound to the reaction mixture after complexes have been formed. The various formats are described briefly below.

In a heterogeneous assay system, either the ObR moiety or the interactive binding partner, is anchored onto a solid surface, while the non-anchored species is labeled, either directly or indirectly. In practice, microtiter plates are conveniently utilized. The anchored species can be immobilized by non-covalent or covalent attachments. Non-covalent attachment can be accomplished simply by coating the solid surface with a solution of the obR gene product or binding partner and drying. Alternatively, an immobilized antibody specific for the species to be anchored can be used to anchor the species to the solid surface. The surfaces can be prepared in advance and stored.

In order to conduct the assay, the partner of the immobilized species is exposed to the coated surface with or without the test compound. After the reaction is complete, unreacted components are removed (e.g., by washing) and any complexes formed will remain immobilized on the solid surface. The detection of complexes anchored on the solid surface can be accomplished in a number of ways. Where the non-immobilized species is pre-labeled, the detection of label immobilized on the surface indicates that complexes were formed. Where the non-immobilized species is not pre-labeled, an indirect label can be used to detect complexes anchored on the surface; for example, using a labeled antibody specific for the initially non-immobilized species (the antibody, in turn, can be directly labeled or indirectly labeled with a labeled anti-Ig antibody). Depending upon the order of addition of reaction components, test compounds which inhibit complex formation or which disrupt preformed complexes can be detected.

Alternatively, the reaction can be conducted in a liquid phase in the presence or absence of the test compound, the reaction products separated from unreacted components, and complexes detected; for example, using an immobilized antibody specific for one of the binding components to anchor any complexes formed in solution, and a labeled antibody specific for the other partner to detect anchored complexes. Again, depending upon the order of addition of reactants to the liquid phase, test compounds that inhibit complex or which disrupt preformed complexes can be identified.

In an alternate embodiment of the invention, a homogeneous assay can be used. In this approach, a preformed complex of the ObR moiety and the interactive binding partner is prepared in which either the ObR or its binding partner is labeled, but the signal generated by the label is quenched due to formation of the complex (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,109,496 by Rubenstein which utilizes this approach for immunoassays). The addition of a test substance that competes with and displaces one of the species from the preformed complex will result in the generation of a signal above background. In this way, test substances which disrupt ObR/intracellular binding partner interaction can be identified.

In a particular embodiment, an ObR fusion can be prepared for immobilization. For example, the ObR or a peptide fragment, for example, corresponding to the CD, can be fused to a glutathione-5-transferase (GST) gene using a fusion vector, such as pGEX-5X-1, in such a manner that its binding activity is maintained in the resulting fusion protein. The interactive binding partner can be purified and used to raise a monoclonal antibody, using methods routinely practiced in the art and described above, in Section 5.3. This antibody can be labeled with the radioactive isotope ¹²⁵I, for example, by methods routinely practiced in the art. In a heterogeneous assay, for example, the GST-ObR fusion protein can be anchored to glutathione-agarose beads. The interactive binding partner can then be added in the presence or absence of the test compound in a manner that allows interaction and binding to occur. At the end of the reaction period, unbound material can be washed away, and the labeled monoclonal antibody can be added to the system and allowed to bind to the complexed components. The interaction between the obR gene product and the interactive binding partner can be detected by measuring the amount of radioactivity that remains associated with the glutathione-agarose beads. A successful inhibition of the interaction by the test compound will result in a decrease in measured radioactivity.

Alternatively, the GST-ObR fusion protein and the interactive binding partner can be mixed together in liquid in the absence of the solid glutathione-agarose beads. The test compound can be added either during or after the species are allowed to interact. This mixture can then be added to the glutathione-agarose beads and unbound material is washed away. Again the extent of inhibition of the ObR/binding partner interaction can be detected by adding the labeled antibody and measuring the radioactivity associated with the beads.

In another embodiment of the invention, these same techniques can be employed using peptide fragments that correspond to the binding domains of the ObR and/or the interactive or binding partner (in cases where the binding partner is a protein), in place of one or both of the full length proteins. Any number of methods routinely practiced in the art can be used to identify and isolate the binding sites. These methods include, but are not limited to, mutagenesis of the gene encoding one of the proteins and screening for disruption of binding in a co-immunoprecipitation assay. Compensating mutations in the gene encoding the second species in the complex can then be selected. Sequence analysis of the genes encoding the respective proteins will reveal the mutations that correspond to the region of the protein involved in interactive binding. Alternatively, one protein can be anchored to a solid surface using methods described above, and allowed to interact with and bind to its labeled binding partner, which has been treated with a proteolytic enzyme, such as trypsin. After washing, a short, labeled peptide comprising the binding domain may remain associated with the solid material, which can be isolated and identified by amino acid sequencing. Also, once the gene coding for the intracellular binding partner is obtained, short gene segments can be engineered to express peptide fragments of the protein, which can then be tested for binding activity and purified or synthesized.

For example, and not by way of limitation, an obR gene product can be anchored to a solid material, as described above, by making a GST-ObR fusion protein and allowing it to bind to glutathione agarose beads. The interactive binding partner can be labeled with a radioactive isotope, such as ³⁵S, and cleaved with a proteolytic enzyme such as trypsin. Cleavage products can then be added to the anchored GST-obR fusion protein and allowed to bind. After washing away unbound peptides, labeled bound material, representing the intracellular binding partner binding domain, can be eluted, purified, and analyzed for amino acid sequence by well-known methods. Peptides so identified can be produced synthetically or fused to appropriate facilitative proteins using recombinant DNA technology.

5.5.4. Assays for Identification of Compounds that Ameliorate Body Weight Disorders

Compounds, including but not limited to binding compounds identified via assay techniques such as those described above, in Sections 5.5.1 through 5.5.3, can be tested for the ability to ameliorate body weight disorder symptoms, including obesity. The assays described above can identify compounds that affect ObR activity (e.g., compounds that bind to the ObR, inhibit binding of the natural ligand, and either activate signal transduction (agonists) or block activation (antagonists), and compounds that bind to the natural ligand of the ObR and neutralize ligand activity); or compounds that affect obR gene activity (by affecting obR gene expression, including molecules, e.g., proteins or small organic molecules, that affect or interfere with splicing events so that expression of the full length or the truncated form of the ObR can be modulated). However, it should be noted that the assays described can also identify compounds that modulate ObR signal transduction (e.g., compounds which affect downstream signalling events, such as inhibitors or enhancers of tyrosine kinase or phosphatase activities which participate in transducing the signal activated by Ob binding to the ObR). The identification and use of such compounds which affect another step in the ObR signal transduction pathway in which the obR gene and/or obR gene product is involved and, by affecting this same pathway can modulate the effect of ObR on the development of body weight disorders are within the scope of the invention. Such compounds can be used as part of a therapeutic method for the treatment of body weight disorders.

The invention encompasses cell-based and animal model-based assays for the identification of compounds exhibiting such an ability to ameliorate body weight disorder symptoms. Such cell-based assay systems can also be used as the “gold standard” to assay for purity and potency of the natural ligand, Ob, including recombinantly or synthetically produced Ob and Ob mutants.

Cell-based systems can be used to identify compounds that can act to ameliorate body weight disorder symptoms. Such cell systems can include, for example, recombinant or non-recombinant cells, such as cell lines, which express the obR gene. For example choroid plexus cells, hypothalamus cells, or cell lines derived from choroid plexus or hypothalamus can be used. In addition, expression host cells (e.g., COS cells, CHO cells, fibroblasts) genetically engineered to express a functional ObR and to respond to activation by the natural Ob ligand, e.g., as measured by a chemical or phenotypic change, induction of another host cell gene, change in ion flux (e.g., Ca⁺⁺), tyrosine phosphorylation of host cell proteins, etc., can be used as an end point in the assay.

In utilizing such cell systems, cells may be exposed to a compound suspected of exhibiting an ability to ameliorate body weight disorder symptoms, at a sufficient concentration and for a time sufficient to elicit such an amelioration of body weight disorder symptoms in the exposed cells. After exposure, the cells can be assayed to measure alterations in the expression of the obR gene, for example, by assaying cell lysates for obR mRNA transcripts (e.g., by Northern analysis) or for obR protein expressed in the cell; compounds that regulate or modulate expression of the obR gene are good candidates as therapeutics. Alternatively, the cells are examined to determine whether one or more body weight disorder-like cellular phenotypes has been altered to resemble a more normal or more wild type, non-body weight disorder phenotype, or a phenotype more likely to produce a lower incidence or severity of disorder symptoms. Still further, the expression and/or activity of components of the signal transduction pathway of which ObR is a part, or the activity of the ObR signal transduction pathway itself can be assayed.

For example, after exposure, the cell lysates can be assayed for the presence of tyrosine phosphorylation of host cell proteins, as compared to lysates derived from unexposed control cells. The ability of a test compound to inhibit tyrosine phosphorylation of host cell proteins in these assay systems indicates that the test compound inhibits signal transduction initiated by ObR activation. The cell lysates can be readily assayed using a Western blot format; i.e., the host cell proteins are resolved by gel electrophoresis, transferred to a support, and probed using a anti-phosphotyrosine detection antibody (e.g., an anti-phosphotyrosine antibody labeled with a signal generating compound, such as radiolabel, fluorophore, enzyme, etc.) (See, e.g., Glenney et al., 1988, J. Immunol. Methods 109:277-285; Frackelton et al., 1983, Mol. Cell. Biol. 3:1343-1352). Alternatively, an ELISA format could be used in which a particular host cell protein involved in the ObR signal transduction pathway is immobilized using an anchoring antibody specific for the target host cell protein, and the presence or absence of phosphotyrosine on the immobilized host cell protein is detected using a labeled anti-phosphotyrosine antibody. (See, King et al., 1993, Life Sciences 53:1465-1472). In yet another approach, ion flux, such as calcium ion flux, can be measured as an end point for ObR stimulated signal transduction.

Alternatively, activation of STAT proteins, and stimulation of transcription mediated through IL-6 responsive gene elements can be measured to test the ability of a compound to regulate ObR mediated signal transduction. For example, a recombinant expression vector can be engineered to contain the IL-6 responsive element sequences cloned adjacent to a reporter gene and regulation of ObR activity may be measured by assaying for reporter gene activity. Reporter genes that may be used include, but are not limited to those encoding chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT), firefly luciferase, or human growth hormone.

In addition, animal-based body weight disorder systems, which may include, for example, ob, db and ob/db mice, can be used to identify compounds capable of ameliorating body weight disorder-like symptoms. Such animal models may be used as test substrates for the identification of drugs, pharmaceuticals, therapies and interventions which can be effective in treating such disorders. For example, animal models can be exposed to a compound, suspected of exhibiting an ability to ameliorate body weight disorder symptoms, at a sufficient concentration and for a time sufficient to elicit such an amelioration of body weight disorder symptoms in the exposed animals. The response of the animals to the exposure may be monitored by assessing the reversal of disorders associated with body weight disorders such as obesity. With regard to intervention, any treatments which reverse any aspect of body weight disorder-like symptoms would be considered as candidates for human body weight disorder therapeutic intervention. Dosages of test agents may be determined by deriving dose-response curves, as discussed in Section 5.7.1, below.

5.6. The Treatment of Body Weight, Including Body Weight Disorders

The invention encompasses methods and compositions for modifying body weight and treating body weight disorders, including but not limited to obesity, cachexia and anorexia. Because a loss of normal obR gene product function results in the development of an obese phenotype, an increase in obR gene product activity, or activation of the ObR pathway (e.g., downstream activation) would facilitate progress towards a normal body weight state in obese individuals exhibiting a deficient level of obR gene expression and/or obR activity.

Alternatively, symptoms of certain body weight disorders such as, for example, cachexia, which involve a lower than normal body weight phenotype, may be ameliorated by decreasing the level of obR gene expression, and/or obR gene activity, and/or downregulating activity of the ObR pathway (e.g., by targeting downstream signalling events). Different approaches are discussed below.

-   5.6.1. Inhibition of ObR Expression or ObR Activity to Promote     Weight Gain

Any method that neutralizes Ob or inhibits expression of the obR gene (either transcription or translation) can be used to effectuate weight gain. Such approaches can be used to treat body weight disorders such as anorexia or cachexia. Such methods can also be useful for agricultural applications; i.e., to increase the weight of livestock animals.

For example, the administration of soluble peptides, proteins, fusion proteins, or antibodies (including anti-idiotypic antibodies) that bind to and “neutralize” circulating Ob, the natural ligand for the ObR, can be used to effectuate weight gain. To this end, peptides corresponding to the ECD of ObR, soluble deletion mutants of ObR (e.g., ΔTMObR mutants), or either of these ObR domains or mutants fused to another polypeptide (e.g., an IgFc polypeptide) can be utilized. Alternatively, anti-idiotypic antibodies or Fab fragments of antiidiotypic antibodies that mimic the ObR ECD and neutralize Ob can be used (see Section 5.3, supra). Such ObR peptides, proteins, fusion proteins, anti-idiotypic antibodies or Fabs are administered to a subject in amounts sufficient to neutralize Ob and to effectuate weight gain.

ObR peptides corresponding to the ECD having the amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 1 or 6, from about amino acid residue 23 to about amino acid residue 837, or having the amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 3, from about amino acid residue 21 to about amino acid residue 839, can be used. ObR ΔTM mutants in which all or part of the 23 amino acid hydrophobic anchor sequence (e.g., about amino acid residue 838 to amino acid residue 860 in FIG. 1 or 6, or about amino acid residue 840 to about amino acid residue 862 in FIG. 3) could also be used. Fusion of the ObR, the ObR ECD or the ΔTMObR to an IgFc polypeptide should not only increase the stability of the preparation, but will increase the half-life and activity of the ObR-Ig fusion protein in vivo. The Fc region of the Ig portion of the fusion protein can be further modified to reduce immunoglobulin effector function. See Section 10, infra.

In a specific embodiment described herein, the extracellular domains of the mouse or human ObR were fused to the IgG constant region. As indicated in FIG. 10, purified ObR-IgG was able to potently inhibit, or neutralize, the binding of the AP-OB fusion protein to cell surface ObR (See Section 10.4).

In an alternative embodiment for neutralizing circulating Ob, cells that are genetically engineered to express such soluble or secreted forms of ObR can be administered to a patient, whereupon they will serve as “bioreactors” in vivo to provide a continuous supply of the Ob neutralizing protein. Such cells may be obtained from the patient or an MHC compatible donor and can include, but are not limited to fibroblasts, blood cells (e.g., lymphocytes), adipocytes, muscle cells, endothelial cells, etc. The cells are genetically engineered in vitro using recombinant DNA techniques to introduce the coding sequence for the ObR ECD, ΔTMObR, or for ObR-Ig fusion protein (e.g., ObR-, ECD- or ΔTMObR-IgFc fusion proteins) into the cells, for example, by transduction (using viral vectors, and preferably vectors that integrate the transgene into the cell genome) or transfection procedures, including but not limited to the use of plasmids, cosmids, YACs, electroporation, liposomes, etc. The obR coding sequence can be placed under the control of a strong constitutive or inducible promoter or promoter/enhancer to achieve expression and secretion of the ObR peptide or fusion protein. The engineered cells that express and secrete the desired ObR product can be introduced into the patient systemically, for example, in the circulation, intraperitoneally, at the choroid plexus, or hypothalamus. Alternatively, the cells can be incorporated into a matrix and implanted in the body. For example, genetically engineered fibroblasts can be implanted as part of a skin graft; genetically engineered endothelial cells can be implanted as part of a vascular graft. (See, for example, Anderson et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,399,349; and Mulligan & Wilson, U.S. Pat. No. 5,460,959 each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety).

When the cells to be administered are non-autologous cells, they can be administered using well known techniques that prevent the development of a host immune response against the introduced cells. For example, the cells can be introduced in an encapsulated form which, while allowing for an exchange of components with the immediate extracellular environment, does not allow the introduced cells to be recognized by the host immune system.

In an alternate embodiment, weight gain therapy can be designed to reduce the level of endogenous obR gene expression, for example, using antisense or ribozyme approaches to inhibit or prevent translation of obR mRNA transcripts; triple helix approaches to inhibit transcription of the obR gene; or targeted homologous recombination to inactivate or “knock out” the obR gene or its endogenous promoter. Because the obR gene is expressed in the brain, including the choroid plexus and hypothalamus, delivery techniques should be preferably designed to cross the blood-brain barrier (see PCT WO89/10134, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety). Alternatively, the antisense, ribozyme or DNA constructs described herein could be administered directly to the site containing the target cells; for example, the choroid plexus and/or hypothalamus.

Antisense approaches involve the design of oligonucleotides (either DNA or RNA) that are complementary to ObR mRNA. The antisense oligonucleotides will bind to the complementary obR mRNA transcripts and prevent translation. Absolute complementarity, although preferred, is not required. A sequence “complementary” to a portion of an RNA, as referred to herein, means a sequence having sufficient complementarity to be able to hybridize with the RNA, forming a stable duplex; in the case of double-stranded antisense nucleic acids, a single strand of the duplex DNA may thus be tested, or triplex formation may be assayed. The ability to hybridize will depend on both the degree of complementarity and the length of the antisense nucleic acid. Generally, the longer the hybridizing nucleic acid, the more base mismatches with an RNA it may contain and still form a stable duplex (or triplex, as the case may be). One skilled in the art can ascertain a tolerable degree of mismatch by use of standard procedures to determine the melting point of the hybridized complex.

Oligonucleotides that are complementary to the 5′ end of the message, for example, the 5′ untranslated sequence up to and including the AUG initiation codon, should work most efficiently at inhibiting translation. However, sequences complementary to the 3′ untranslated sequences of mRNAs have recently shown to be effective at inhibiting translation of mRNAs as well. See generally, Wagner, R., 1994, Nature 372:333-335. Thus, oligonucleotides complementary to either the 5′- or 3′-non-translated, non-coding regions of the obR shown in FIG. 1 (murine short form), FIG. 6 (murine long form) or FIG. 3 (human long form) could be used in an antisense approach to inhibit translation of endogenous obR mRNA. Oligonucleotides complementary to the 5′ untranslated region of the mRNA should include the complement of the AUG start codon. Antisense oligonucleotides complementary to mRNA coding regions are less efficient inhibitors of translation but could be used in accordance with the invention. Whether designed to hybridize to the 5′-, 3′- or coding region of ObR mRNA, antisense nucleic acids should be at least six nucleotides in length, and are preferably oligonucleotides ranging from 6 to about 50 nucleotides in length. In specific aspects, the oligonucleotide is at least 10 nucleotides, at least 17 nucleotides, at least 25 nucleotides, or at least 50 nucleotides in length.

Regardless of the choice of target sequence, it is preferred that in vitro studies are first performed to quantitate the ability of the antisense oligonucleotide to inhibit gene expression. It is preferred that these studies utilize controls that distinguish between antisense gene inhibition and nonspecific biological effects of oligonucleotides. It is also preferred that these studies compare levels of the target RNA or protein with that of an internal control RNA or protein. Additionally, it is envisioned that results obtained using the antisense oligonucleotide are compared with those obtained using a control oligonucleotide. It is preferred that the control oligonucleotide is of approximately the same length as the test oligonucleotide and that the nucleotide sequence of the oligonucleotide differs from the antisense sequence no more than is necessary to prevent specific hybridization to the target sequence.

The oligonucleotides can be DNA or RNA or chimeric mixtures or derivatives or modified versions thereof, single-stranded or double-stranded. The oligonucleotide can be modified at the base moiety, sugar moiety, or phosphate backbone, for example, to improve stability of the molecule, hybridization, etc. The oligonucleotide can include other appended groups such as peptides (e.g., for targeting host cell receptors in vivo), or agents facilitating transport across the cell membrane (see, e.g., Letsinger et al., 1989, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86:6553-6556; Lemaitre et al., 1987, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 84:648-652; PCT Publication No. WO88/09810, published Dec. 15, 1988) or the blood-brain barrier (see, e.g., PCT Publication No. WO89/10134, published Apr. 25, 1988), hybridization-triggered cleavage agents. (See, e.g., Krol et al., 1988, BioTechniques 6:958-976) or intercalating agents. (See, e.g., Zon, 1988, Pharm. Res. 5:539-549). To this end, the oligonucleotide can be conjugated to another molecule, for example, a peptide, hybridization triggered cross-linking agent, transport agent, hybridization-triggered cleavage agent, etc.

The antisense oligonucleotide may comprise at least one modified base moiety which is selected from the group including but not limited to 5-fluorouracil, 5-bromouracil, 5-chlorouracil, 5-iodouracil, hypoxanthine, xantine, 4-acetylcytosine, 5-(carboxyhydroxylmethyl) uracil, 5-carboxymethylaminomethyl-2-thiouridine, 5-carboxymethylaminomethyluracil, dihydrouracil, beta-D-galactosylqueosine, inosine, N6-isopentenyladenine, 1-methylguanine, 1-methylinosine, 2,2-dimethylguanine, 2-methyladenine, 2-methylguanine, 3-methylcytosine, 5-methylcytosine, N6-adenine, 7-methylguanine, 5-methylaminomethyluracil, 5-methoxyaminomethyl-2-thiouracil, beta-D-mannosylqueosine, 5′-methoxycarboxymethyluracil, 5-methoxyuracil, 2-methylthio-N-6-isopentenyladenine, uracil-5-oxyacetic acid (v), wybutoxosine, pseudouracil, queosine, 2-thiocytosine, 5-methyl-2-thiouracil, 2-thiouracil, 4-thiouracil, 5-methyluracil, uracil-5-oxyacetic acid methylester, uracil-5-oxyacetic acid (v), 5-methyl-2-thiouracil, 3-(3-amino-3-N-2-carboxypropyl) uracil, (acp3)w, and 2,6-diaminopurine.

The antisense oligonucleotide can also comprise at least one modified sugar moiety selected from the group including but not limited to arabinose, 2-fluoroarabinose, xylulose, and hexose.

In yet another embodiment, the antisense oligonucleotide comprises at least one modified phosphate backbone selected from the group consisting of a phosphorothioate, a phosphorodithioate, a phosphoramidothioate, a phosphoramidate, a phosphordiamidate, a methylphosphonate, an alkyl phosphotriester, and a formacetal or analog thereof.

In yet another embodiment, the antisense oligonucleotide is an α-anomeric oligonucleotide. An α-anomeric oligonucleotide forms specific double-stranded hybrids with complementary RNA in which, contrary to the usual β-units, the strands run parallel to each other (Gautier et al., 1987, Nucl. Acids Res. 15:6625-6641). The oligonucleotide is a 2′-O-methylribonucleotide (Inoue et al., 1987, Nucl. Acids Res. 15:6131-6148), or a chimeric RNA-DNA analogue (Inoue et al., 1987, FEBS Lett. 215:327-330).

Oligonucleotides of the invention can be synthesized by standard methods known in the art, for example, by use of an automated DNA synthesizer (such as are commercially available from Biosearch, Applied Biosystems, etc.). As examples, phosphorothioate oligonucleotides can be synthesized by the method of Stein et al. (1988, Nucl. Acids Res. 16:3209), methylphosphonate oligonucleotides can be prepared by use of controlled pore glass polymer supports (Sarin et al., 1988, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85:7448-7451), etc.

While antisense nucleotides complementary to the obR coding region sequence could be used, those complementary to the transcribed untranslated region are most preferred. For example, antisense oligonucleotides having the following sequences can be utilized in accordance with the invention:

-   a) 5′-CATCTTACTTCAGAGAA-3′ (SEQ ID NO:7), which is complementary to     nucleotides −14 to +3 in FIG. 3; -   b) 5′-CATCTTACTTCAGAGAAGTACAC-3′ (SEQ ID NO:8), which is     complementary to nucleotides −20 to +3 in FIG. 3; -   c) 5′-CATCTTACTTCAGAGAAGTACACCCATAA-3′ (SEQ ID NO:9), which is     complementary to nucleotides −26 to +3 in FIG. 3; -   d) 5′-CATCTTACTTCAGAGAAGTACACCCATAATCCTCT-3′ (SEQ ID NO:10), which     is complementary to nucleotides −32 to +3 in FIG. 3; -   e) 5′-AATCATCTTACTTCAGAGAAGTACACCCATAATCC-3′ (SEQ ID NO:11), which     is complementary to nucleotides −29 to +6 in FIG. 3 -   f) 5′-CTTACTTCAGAGAAGTACACCCATAATCC-3′ (SEQ ID NO:12), which is     complementary to nucleotides −29 to −1 in FIG. 3; -   g) 5′-TCAGAGAAGTACACCCATAATCC-3′ (SEQ ID NO:13), which is     complementary to nucleotides −29 to −7 in FIG. 3; -   h) 5′-AAGTACACCCATAATCC-3′ (SEQ ID NO:14), which is complementary to     nucleotides −29 to −13 in FIG. 3.

The antisense molecules should be delivered to cells which express the ObR in vivo, e.g., the choroid plexus and/or hypothalamus. A number of methods have been developed for delivering antisense DNA or RNA to cells; for example, antisense molecules can be injected directly into the tissue site, or modified antisense molecules, designed to target the desired cells (e.g., antisense linked to peptides or antibodies that specifically bind receptors or antigens expressed on the target cell surface) can be administered systemically.

However, it is often difficult to achieve intracellular concentrations of the antisense sufficient to suppress translation of endogenous mRNAs. Therefore, a preferred approach utilizes a recombinant DNA construct in which the antisense oligonucleotide is placed under the control of a strong pol III or pol II promoter. The use of such a construct to transfect target cells in the patient will result in the transcription of sufficient amounts of single stranded RNAs that will form complementary base pairs with the endogenous obR transcripts and thereby prevent translation of the obR mRNA. For example, a vector can be introduced in vivo such that it is taken up by a cell and directs the transcription of an antisense RNA. Such a vector can remain episomal or become chromosomally integrated, as long as it can be transcribed to produce the desired antisense RNA. Such vectors can be constructed by recombinant DNA technology methods standard in the art. Vectors can be plasmid vectors, viral vectors, or other vectors known in the art to be useful for replication and expression of nucleic acids in mammalian cells. Expression of the sequence encoding the antisense RNA can be by any promoter known in the art to act in mammalian, preferably human cells. Such promoters can be inducible or constitutive. Such promoters include but are not limited to: the SV40 early promoter region (Bernoist and Chambon, 1981, Nature 290:304-310), the promoter contained in the 3′ long terminal repeat of Rous sarcoma virus (Yamamoto et al., 1980, Cell 22:787-797), the herpes thymidine kinase promoter (Wagner et al., 1981, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 78:1441-1445), the regulatory sequences of the metallothionein gene (Brinster et al., 1982, Nature 296:39-42), etc. Any type of plasmid, cosmid, YAC, or viral vector can be used to prepare the recombinant DNA construct which can be introduced directly into the tissue site; for example, the choroid plexus or hypothalamus. Alternatively, viral vectors can be used which selectively infect the desired tissue; (e.g., for brain, herpesvirus vectors may be used), in which case administration may be accomplished by another route (e.g., systemically).

Ribozyme molecules designed to catalytically cleave obR mRNA transcripts can also be used to prevent translation of obR mRNA and expression of ObR. (See, e.g., PCT International Publication WO90/11364, published Oct. 4, 1990; Sarver et al., 1990, Science 247:1222-1225). While ribozymes that cleave mRNA at site specific recognition sequences can be used to destroy obR mRNAs, the use of hammerhead ribozymes is preferred. Hammerhead ribozymes cleave mRNAs at locations dictated by flanking regions that form complementary base pairs with the target mRNA. The sole requirement is that the target mRNA have the following sequence of two bases: 5′-UG-3′. The construction and production of hammerhead ribozymes is well known in the art and is described more fully in Haseloff and Gerlach, 1988, Nature 334:585-591. There are hundreds of potential hammerhead ribozyme cleavage sites within the nucleotide sequence of human obR cDNA (FIG. 3). Preferably the ribozyme is engineered so that the cleavage recognition site is located near the 5′ end of the obR mRNA; i.e., to increase efficiency and minimize the intracellular accumulation of non-functional mRNA transcripts.

For example, hammerhead ribozymes having the following sequences can be utilized in accordance with the invention:

-   a)     -   5′-ACAGAAUUUUUGACAAAUCAAAGCAGANNNNUCUGAGNAGUCCUUACUU CAGAGAA-3′         (SEQ ID NO:15), which will cleave human obR mRNA between         nucleotides −1 and 1 in FIG. 3; -   b)     -   5′-GGCCCGGGCAGCCUGCCCAAAGCCGGNNNNCCGGAGNAGUCGCCAGACC GGCUCGUG-3′         (SEQ ID NO:16), which will cleave between nucleotides −175 and         −176 in FIG. 3; -   c)     -   5′-UGGCAUGCAAGACAAAGCAGGNNNNCCUGAGNAGUCCUUAAAUCUCCAA GGAGUAA-3′         (SEQ ID NO:17), which will cleave between nucleotides 102 and         103 in FIG. 3; -   d) 5′-UAUAUGACAAAGCUGUNNNNACAGAGNAGUCCUUGUGUGGUAAAGAC ACG-3′ (SEQ ID     NO:18), which will cleave between nucleotides 994 and 995 in FIG. 3; -   e)     -   5′-AGCACCAAUUGAAUUGAUGGCCAAAGCGGGNNNNCCCGAGNAGUCAACC         GUAACAGUAUGU-3′ (SEQ ID NO:19), which will cleave between         nucleotides 2142 and 2143 in FIG. 3; -   f)     -   5′-UGAAAUUGUUUCAGGCUCCAAAGCCGGNNNNCCGGAGNAGUCAAGAAGA         GGACCACAUGUCACUGAUGC-3′ (SEQ ID NO:20), which will cleave         between nucleotides 2736 and 2737 in FIG. 3; -   g)     -   5′-GGUUUCUUCAGUGAAAUUACACAAAGCAGCNNNNGCUGAGNAGUCAGUU         AGGUCACACAUC-3′ (SEQ ID NO:21), which will cleave between         nucleotides 3492 and 3493 in FIG. 3; -   h)     -   5′-ACCCAUUAUAACACAAAGCUGANNNNUCAGAGNAGUCAUCUGAAGGUUU CUUC-3′         (SEQ ID NO:22), which will cleave between nucleotides 3521 and         3522 in FIG. 3.

The ribozymes of the present invention also include RNA endoribonucleases (hereinafter “Cech-type ribozymes”) such as the one which occurs naturally in Tetrahymena Thermophila (known as the IVS, or L-19 IVS RNA) and which has been extensively described by Thomas Cech and collaborators (Zaug, et al., 1984, Science 224:574-578; Zaug and Cech, 1986, Science 231:470-475; Zaug, et al., 1986, Nature 324:429-433; published International patent application No. WO 88/04300 by University Patents Inc.; Been and Cech, 1986, Cell 47:207-216). The Cech-type ribozymes have an eight basepair active site that hybridizes to a target RNA sequence, whereafter cleavage of the target RNA takes place. The invention encompasses those Cech-type ribozymes that target eight basepair active site sequences that are present in obR.

As in the antisense approach, the ribozymes can be composed of modified oligonucleotides (e.g. for improved stability, targeting, etc.) and should be delivered to cells which express the ObR in vivo, for example, hypothalamus and/or the choroid plexus. A preferred method of delivery involves using a DNA construct “encoding” the ribozyme under the control of a strong constitutive pol III or pol II promoter, so that transfected cells will produce sufficient quantities of the ribozyme to destroy endogenous obR messages and inhibit translation. Because ribozymes, unlike antisense molecules, are catalytic, a lower intracellular concentration is required for efficiency.

Endogenous obR gene expression can also be reduced by inactivating or “knocking out” the obR gene or its promoter using targeted homologous recombination. (E.g., see Smithies et al., 1985, Nature 317:230-234; Thomas & Capecchi, 1987, Cell 51:503-512; Thompson et al., 1989, Cell 5:313-321; each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety). For example, a mutant, non-functional ObR (or a completely unrelated DNA sequence) flanked by DNA homologous to the endogenous obR gene (either the coding regions or regulatory regions of the obR gene) can be used, with or without a selectable marker and/or a negative selectable marker, to transfect cells that express ObR in vivo. Insertion of the DNA construct, via targeted homologous recombination, results in inactivation of the obR gene. Such approaches are particularly suited in the agricultural field where modifications to ES (embryonic stem) cells can be used to generate animal offspring with an inactive ObR (e.g., see Thomas & Capecchi, 1987, supra and Thompson et al., 1989, supra). However, this approach can be adapted for use in humans provided the recombinant DNA constructs are directly administered or targeted to the required site in vivo using appropriate viral vectors, for example, herpes virus vectors for delivery to brain tissue; for example, the hypothalamus and/or choroid plexus.

Alternatively, endogenous obR gene expression can be reduced by targeting deoxyribonucleotide sequences complementary to the regulatory region of the obR gene (i.e., the obR promoter and/or enhancers) to form triple helical structures that prevent transcription of the obR gene in target cells in the body. (See generally, Helene, C. 1991, Anticancer Drug Des. 6 (6):569-84; Helene, C. et al., 1992, Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 660:27-36; and Maher, L. J., 1992, Bioassays 14 (12):807-15).

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the activity of ObR can be reduced using a “dominant negative” approach to effectuate weight gain. To this end, constructs that encode defective ObRs can be used in gene therapy approaches to diminish the activity of the ObR in appropriate target cells. For example, nucleotide sequences that direct host cell expression of ObRs in which the CD (e.g., FIG. 1, amino acid residues 861-894; FIG. 6, amino acid residues 861-1162; or FIG. 3, amino acid residues 863-1165), or a portion of the CD (e.g., the box 1 Jak interaction sequence; FIGS. 1 and 6, amino acid residues 861-884; or FIG. 3, amino acid residues 863-886) is deleted or mutated can be introduced into cells in the choroid plexus or hypothalamus (either by in vivo or ex vivo gene therapy methods described above). Alternatively, targeted homologous recombination can be utilized to introduce such deletions or mutations into the subject's endogenous obR gene in the hypothalamus or choroid plexus. The engineered cells will express non-functional receptors (i.e., an anchored receptor that is capable of binding its natural ligand, but incapable of signal transduction). Such engineered cells present in the choroid plexus or hypothalamus should demonstrate a diminished response to the endogenous Ob ligand, resulting in weight gain.

5.6.2. Restoration or Increase in ObR Expression or Activity to Promote Weight Loss

With respect to an increase in the level of normal obR gene expression and/or ObR gene product activity, obR nucleic acid sequences can be utilized for the treatment of body weight disorders, including obesity. Where the cause of obesity is a defective ObR, treatment can be administered, for example, in the form of gene replacement therapy. Specifically, one or more copies of a normal obR gene or a portion of the obR gene that directs the production of an obR gene product exhibiting normal function, can be inserted into the appropriate cells within a patient or animal subject, using vectors which include, but are not limited to, adenovirus, adeno-associated virus, retrovirus, and herpes virus vectors, in addition to other particles that introduce DNA into cells, such as liposomes.

Because the obR gene is expressed in the brain, including the choroid plexus and hypothalamus, such gene replacement therapy techniques should be capable of delivering obR gene sequences to these cell types within patients. Thus, the techniques for delivery of the obR gene sequences should be designed to readily cross the blood-brain barrier. These techniques are well known to those of skill in the art (see, e.g., PCT application, publication No. WO89/10134, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety), or, alternatively, should involve direct administration of such obR gene sequences to the site of the cells in which the obR gene sequences are to be expressed. Alternatively, targeted homologous recombination can be utilized to correct the defective endogenous obR gene in the appropriate tissue; e.g., choroid plexus and/or hypothalamus. In animals, targeted homologous recombination can be used to correct the defect in ES cells in order to generate offspring with a corrected trait.

Additional methods that can be utilized to increase the overall level of obR gene expression and/or ObR activity include the introduction of appropriate ObR-expressing cells, preferably autologous cells, into a patient at positions and in numbers which are sufficient to ameliorate the symptoms of body weight disorders, including obesity. Such cells can be either recombinant or non-recombinant. Among the cells that can be administered to increase the overall level of obR gene expression in a patient are normal cells, preferably choroid plexus cells, or hypothalamic cells, which express the obR gene. The cells can be administered at the anatomical site in the brain, or as part of a tissue graft located at a different site in the body. Such cell-based gene therapy techniques are well known to those skilled in the art, see, for example, Anderson, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,399,349; Mulligan & Wilson, U.S. Pat. No. 5,460,959.

Finally, compounds, identified in the assays described above, that stimulate or enhance the signal transduced by activated ObR, for example, by activating downstream signalling proteins in the ObR cascade, and thereby by-passing the defective ObR, can be used to achieve weight loss. The formulation and mode of administration will depend upon the physico-chemical properties of the compound. The administration should include known techniques that allow for a crossing of the blood-brain barrier.

5.7. Pharmaceutical Preparations and Methods of Administration

The compounds that are determined to affect obR gene expression or ObR activity can be administered to a patient at therapeutically effective doses to treat or ameliorate weight disorders, including obesity, cachexia, and anorexia. A therapeutically effective dose refers to that amount of the compound sufficient to result in amelioration of symptoms of body weight disorders.

5.7.1. Effective Dose

Toxicity and therapeutic efficacy of such compounds can be determined by standard pharmaceutical procedures in cell cultures or experimental animals, for example, for determining the LD₅₀ (the dose lethal to 50% of the population) and the ED₅₀ (the dose therapeutically effective in 50% of the population). The dose ratio between toxic and therapeutic effects is the therapeutic index and it can be expressed as the ratio LD₅₀/ED₅₀. Compounds which exhibit large therapeutic indices are preferred. While compounds that exhibit toxic side effects can be used, care should be taken to design a delivery system that targets such compounds to the site of affected tissue in order to minimize potential damage to uninfected cells and, thereby, reduce side effects.

The data obtained from the cell culture assays and animal studies can be used in formulating a range of dosage for use in humans. The dosage of such compounds lies preferably within a range of circulating concentrations that include the ED₅₀ with little or no toxicity. The dosage may vary within this range depending upon the dosage form employed and the route of administration utilized. For any compound used in the method of the invention, the therapeutically effective dose can be estimated initially from cell culture assays. A dose can be formulated in animal models to achieve a circulating plasma concentration range that includes the IC₅₀ (i.e., the concentration of the test compound which achieves a half-maximal inhibition of symptoms) as determined in cell culture. Such information can be used to more accurately determine useful doses in humans. Levels in plasma can be measured, for example, by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

5.7.2. Formulations and Use

Pharmaceutical compositions for use in accordance with the present invention can be formulated in a conventional manner using one or more physiologically acceptable carriers or excipients.

Thus, the compounds and their physiologically acceptable salts and solvates can be formulated for administration by inhalation or insufflation (either through the mouth or the nose), or oral, buccal, parenteral, or rectal administration.

For oral administration, the pharmaceutical compositions can take the form of, for example, tablets or capsules prepared by conventional means with pharmaceutically acceptable excipients such as binding agents (e.g., pregelatinised maize starch, polyvinylpyrrolidone, or hydroxypropyl methylcellulose); fillers (e.g., lactose, microcrystalline cellulose, or calcium hydrogen phosphate); lubricants (e.g., magnesium stearate, talc, or silica); disintegrants (e.g., potato starch or sodium starch glycolate); or wetting agents (e.g., sodium lauryl sulphate). The tablets can be coated by methods well known in the art. Liquid preparations for oral administration can take the form of, for example, solutions, syrups or suspensions, or they can be presented as a dry product for constitution with water or other suitable vehicle before use. Such liquid preparations can be prepared by conventional means with pharmaceutically acceptable additives such as suspending agents (e.g., sorbitol syrup, cellulose derivatives, or hydrogenated edible fats); emulsifying agents (e.g., lecithin or acacia); non-aqueous vehicles (e.g., almond oil, oily esters, ethyl alcohol, or fractionated vegetable oils); and preservatives (e.g., methyl or propyl-p-hydroxybenzoates or sorbic acid). The preparations can also contain buffer salts, flavoring, coloring and sweetening agents as appropriate.

Preparations for oral administration can be suitably formulated to give controlled release of the active compound.

For buccal administration, the compositions can take the form of tablets or lozenges formulated in conventional manner.

For administration by inhalation, the compounds for use according to the present invention are conveniently delivered in the form of an aerosol spray presentation from pressurized packs or a nebulizer, with the use of a suitable propellant, for example, dichlorodifluoromethane, trichlorofluoromethane, dichlorotetrafluoroethane, carbon dioxide, or other suitable gas. In the case of a pressurized aerosol, the dosage unit may be determined by providing a valve to deliver a metered amount. Capsules and cartridges of, for example, gelatin for use in an inhaler or insufflator can be formulated containing a powder mix of the compound and a suitable powder base such as lactose or starch.

The compounds can be formulated for parenteral administration by injection, for example, by bolus injection or continuous infusion. Formulations for injection can be presented in unit dosage form, for example, in ampoules or in multi-dose containers, with an added preservative. The compositions can take such forms as suspensions, solutions or emulsions in oily or aqueous vehicles, and can contain formulatory agents such as suspending, stabilizing and/or dispersing agents. Alternatively, the active ingredient can be in powder form for constitution with a suitable vehicle, for example, sterile pyrogen-free water, before use.

The compounds can also be formulated in rectal compositions such as suppositories or retention enemas, for example, containing conventional suppository bases such as cocoa butter or other glycerides.

In addition to the formulations described previously, the compounds can also be formulated as a depot preparation. Such long acting formulations may be administered by implantation (e.g., subcutaneously or intramuscularly), or by intramuscular injection. Thus, for example, the compounds can be formulated with suitable polymeric or hydrophobic materials (e.g., as an emulsion in an acceptable oil), or ion exchange resins, or as sparingly soluble derivatives, for example, as a sparingly soluble salt.

The compositions can, if desired, be presented in a pack or dispenser device which can contain one or more unit dosage forms containing the active ingredient. The pack can, for example, comprise metal or plastic foil, such as a blister pack. The pack or dispenser device can be accompanied by instructions for administration.

6. EXAMPLE In Situ Localization of ObR

In the Example presented herein, it is demonstrated via binding studies with Ob (leptin)-alkaline phosphatase (AP) fusion proteins that high affinity Ob receptor is present in mammalian choroid plexus tissue. It is further demonstrated that the fusion protein binding observed was Ob-specific, and not due to a non-specific alkaline phosphatase-based artifact.

6.1. Materials and Methods

Construction and Expression of Ob-Alkaline Phosphatase (AP) Fusion Proteins. Two types of fusion protein were generated. Specifically, Ob-AP fusion proteins were generated in which the AP portion was at the carboxyl terminus of the fusion protein, and AP-Ob fusion proteins were generated in which the AP portion was at the amino terminus of the fusion protein.

To produce mouse and human Ob-AP and AP-Ob fusion constructs, cDNA sequences were amplified by standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR) procedures. For mouse and human Ob-AP fusions, nucleotide sequences encoding the entire open reading frames of mouse and human Ob, respectively were amplified from the corresponding cDNAs. Restriction sites at the end of the amplification primers were cut with HindIII and BamHI (mouse) and inserted into the HindIII-BglII polylinker site of APtag-2, or BamHI and BglII (human) and inserted into the BglII site of APtag-2. For mouse and human AP-Ob fusion constructs, a new AP fusion vector expressing an AP molecule with its own signal peptide was first generated (APtag-3) by replacing sequences between the HindIII and XhoI sites of APtag-2 with PCR amplified sequences of secreted placental alkaline phosphatase (including signal sequence). A BglII site was placed so that fusions introduced into this site would be in-frame with the AP protein. The sequences of the predicted mature forms of mouse and human Ob were then PCR amplified from the corresponding cDNAs. Restriction sites at the end of the amplification primers were cut with BamHI and BglII and inserted into the BglII site of APtag-3.

Each plasmid was transiently transfected into COS-7 cells (11.25 μg/150 mm plate). Cells were grown to confluence and then media-conditioned for 3 days. Cells were then centrifuged, 0.45 μm filtered, and stored at 4° C. with 20 mM Hepes (pH 7.0) and 0.05% sodium azide. Conditioned media were tested and quantitated for AP activity in a 96-well plate reader as described by Flanagan and Leder (Flanagan, J. G. and Leder, P., 1990, Cell 63:185-194), except that homoarginine was omitted from all assays.

In Situ Fusion Protein Binding. Quartered mouse brains, isolated choroid plexus, cells, and cell lines were rinsed once with HBHA (Hank's balanced salt solution with 0.5 mg/ml BSA, 0.1% NaN₃, 20 mM HEPES [pH 7.0]) in 12-well plates. Tissue was then incubated with tissue culture supernatants containing AP-Ob fusion, Ob-AP fusion, or control supernatants (i.e., supernatants containing unfused AP only, containing AP-OB or OB-AP fusion proteins plus 80-fold molar excess of E. coli-derived recombinant OB, or supernatants from mock-transfected COS cells), for 75 minutes with gentle rotation, at room temperature. Samples were then treated as described previously (Cheng, H. J. and Flanagan, J. G., 1994, Cell 79:157-168).

6.2. Results

To search for the Ob receptor, Ob-alkaline phosphatase fusion proteins were constructed which would allow colorimetric detection of Ob binding. Specifically, cDNA molecules encoding the mouse and human Ob proteins were inserted into the expression vectors APtag-2 and APtag-3, as described, above, in Section 6.1. Insertion into the expression vector APtag-2 resulted in a fusion protein with Ob at the N-terminus of the fusion protein and placental alkaline phosphatase (AP) at the C-terminus. The resulting fusion protein is referred to as Ob-AP. Insertion into the vector APtag-3 resulted in fusion proteins with AP at the N-terminus fused to the predicted mature form of the Ob protein at the C-terminus. The resulting fusion protein is referred to as AP-Ob. Both forms of murine fusion proteins were secreted and both were produced at the predicted molecular weight of approximately 81 kDa.

Several strategies were employed in an effort to identify cells or tissues expressing the Ob receptor. Each of the cells, cell lines, and tissues tested as described herein were at least potentially involved in body weight regulation. The first strategy employed was to attempt direct binding assays with the Ob-AP and AP-Ob fusion proteins. Cell lines examined by this strategy included the placental cell lines Be Wo (ATCC No. CCL98) and JAR (ATCC No. HTB144); the muscle cell lines L6 (ATCC No. CRL1458) and BC3H (ATCC No. CRL1443); the neural cell lines PC12 (ATCC No. CRL1721) and NB41A3 (ATCC No. CCL147); the preadipose cell line 3T3-L1 (ATCC No. CRL173); and the liver cell line Hepa1-6 (ATCC No. CRL1830). Also tested by this method were primary cultures from hypothalamus and primary cultures from cerebellum. None of these studies yielded positive binding results.

Second, attempts were made to identify cell lines expressing Ob receptor by examining changes in gene expression in response to the presence of recombinant Ob protein. The rationale being that changes in gene expression, whether obR gene expression or the expression of genes further downstream in the Ob/ObR-related signal transduction pathway, would identify cells in which ObR was present.

This analysis was done by standard differential display analysis (see Pardee et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,262,311) of RNA derived from Ob-treated or untreated cells. Briefly, RNA was isolated from cells which either had or had not been exposed to Ob, and was amplified via RT-PCR in a manner which allowed a direct quantitative comparison of the levels of individual transcripts present in the RNA derived from the Ob-treated cell lines relative to the Ob-untreated cell lines. Ob Cell lines tested by this approach were INS-1, 3T3-L1, Hepa1-6, L6, PC12, NB41A3 and BC3H. In addition, primary hypothalamic cultures were also tested. None of the cells tested exhibited a detectable quantitative difference in expression pattern based on whether the cells had or had not been treated with Ob.

Third, attempts to identify cells expressing Ob receptor were made by treating cells with recombinant Ob protein and assaying for signs of signal transduction pathway activation. Specifically, cAMP changes were monitored via ³H uptake, and tyrosine phosphorylation changes were assayed via Western blots treated with anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies. Over twenty cell lines were examined in this manner. Specifically, these cell lines included the mouse cell lines Y1 (adrenal cortex; ATCC No. CCL79), BC3H (smooth muscle-brain tumor; ATCC No. CRL1443), P19 (embryonal carcinoma; ATCC No. CRL1825), 3T3L1 (preadipocyte; ATCC No. CRL173), Hepa1-6 (hepatoma; ATCC No. CRL1830), C2C12 (myoblast; ATCC No. CRL1772), NMUMG (mammary gland, normal epithelial; ATCC No. CRL1636), MM5MT (mammary gland; ATCC No. CRL1637), NB41A3 (neuroblastoma; ATCC No. CCL147), AtT20 (pituitary; ATCC No. CCL89), N MU LI (liver; ATCC No. CRL1638), BNL CL2 (liver; ATCC No. TIB73), and NCTC-1469 (liver; ATCC No. CCL91); rat cell lines, including L6 (myoblast; ATCC No. CRL1458), PC12 (adrenal chromaffin; ATCC No. CRL1721), and H-4-II-E (hepatoma; ATCC No. CRL1548); and human cell lines, including SW872 (liposarcoma; ATCC No. HTB92), Hepa G2 (liver; ATCC No. HB8065), and neuroblastoma cell lines, including SK-N-SH (ATCC No. HTB11). Again, no Ob-dependent differences were observed in any of the cells tested.

After an extensive search of mammalian cell lines and tissues, adult mouse brains were quartered, treated with AP-Ob fusion protein, washed, and tested for bound AP activity of the fusion protein using histological techniques, as described, above, in Section 6.1. Reproducible binding of the AP-Ob fusion protein was observed in the rodent brain choroid plexus (within the lateral and third brain ventricals). No AP-Ob staining was observed, however, in the brain tissues surrounding the choroid plexus. The choroid plexus is a tissue largely responsible for the generation of the cerebral spinal fluid. Further, choroid plexus tissue is considered to be one of the “guardians” of the blood-brain barrier.

Control AP staining was performed on tissues treated with unfused AP and on tissues that had been treated with AP-Ob in the presence of an excess of unfused Ob added to compete for the binding of the fusion protein. Staining similar to that observed for the Ab-Ob fusion protein was not observed in either of these controls, demonstrating that the AP-Ob binding observed was Ob-specific, and not due to an AP-based artifact.

In summary, therefore, only after employing several strategies, was a cell surface molecule which binds Ob located; and this cell surface molecule was found within a specific region of the brain, the choroid plexus.

7. EXAMPLE Cloning of the Murine ObR Gene

Described, below, in Section 7.2.1, is the successful cloning of a short form Ob receptor cDNA, famj5312, from expression libraries constructed using murine choroid plexus RNA. The expression libraries were screened using AP-Ob fusion protein binding, as described, above, in the Example presented in Section 6. Section 7.2.2, below, describes the nucleotide sequence of the short form Ob receptor coding region and, further, describes the amino acid sequence of the Ob short form receptor protein. Section 7.2.3, below, describes competitive binding studies demonstrating that the protein encoded by the isolated cDNA encodes a receptor exhibiting high affinity binding for both mouse and human Ob protein. Section 7.2.4 describes studies that verify the authenticity of the isolated obR cDNA clone.

The high affinity Ob binding exhibited by the ObR, coupled with its homology to the Class I family of cytokine receptors, as described, below, indicates that the ObR is involved in the control of mammalian body weight, via signal transduction triggered by its binding to Ob ligand.

7.1. Materials and Methods

Choroid Plexus mRNA Isolation. Total RNA was isolated from 300 mouse choroid plexuses in batches of 100, using the guanidinium isothiocyanate/CsCl method of Chirgwin et al. (1979, Biochemistry 18:5294) as described by R. Selden In Current Protocols for Molecular Biology (4.2.3 Supplement 14). After quantitation, the RNA was diluted to 1 mg/ml in distilled, deionized water and incubated for 30 minutes at 37° C. with an equal volume of DNase solution (20 mM MgCl₂, 2 mM DTT, 0.1 units DNase, 0.6 units RNase inhibitor in TE) to remove contaminating DNA. The RNA was extracted with phenol/chloroform/isoamyl alcohol, and ethanol precipitated. After quantitation at 260 nm, an aliquot was electrophoresed to check the integrity of the RNA. A total of 320 μg of total RNA was purified.

Poly A⁺ RNA was isolated using an Oligotex-dT kit (catalog # 70042) from Qiagen (Chatsworth, Calif.) as described by the manufacturer. After quantitation, the mRNA was ethanol precipitated and resuspended at 1 mg/ml in distilled, deionized, DEPC-treated water. A total of 11 μg of poly A⁺ RNA was purified.

Library Construction. cDNA was synthesized according to the method of Gubler and Hoffman (Gene 25:263, 1983) using a Superscript Plasmid cDNA synthesis kit (Catalog # Series 8248) purchased from Life Technologies (Gaithersburg, Md.). The cDNA obtained was ligated into the NotI/SalI sites of the mammalian expression vector pMET7, a modified version of pME18S, which utilizes the SRα promoter as described previously (Takebe, Y. et al., 1988, Mol. Cel. Biol. 8:466). This vector was chosen because it contains a strong eukaryotic promoter, is expressed in COS7 cells, contains the ampicillin resistance gene, and is only 3.0 kb in length. The small size of the vector is important because it increases the probability of cloning large cDNAs. Other comparable vectors are 4.8 kb and larger, thereby increasing the chances of imperfect replication, and reducing the probability of cloning large cDNAs. Ligated cDNA was ethanol precipitated and resuspended in distilled, deionized, DEPC-treated water at 25 ng/ml. One μl of the DNA was transformed by electroporation per 40 μl of electrocompetent DH10B E. coli in a 0.1 cm cuvette.

cDNA was synthesized twice and used to construct two independent mouse choroid plexus libraries: mCP (mouse choroid plexus) A and mCP D.

DNA Preparation. Based on titers of the cDNA transformations, 96-deepwell plates were inoculated with 150 cfu/well of primary transformants in 1 ml of Luria broth containing ampicillin (LB-amp). Primary transformants that were grown only 1 hour at 37° C. prior to aliquoting were used to avoid the overgrowth of smaller insert clones and thus under representation of larger clones in the 150 cfu pools. Cultures were grown 15-16 hours at 37° C. with aeration. Prior to prepping, 100 μl of cell suspension was removed and added to 100 μl of 50% glycerol, mixed, and stored at −80° C. (glycerol freeze plate).

DNA was prepared using the Wizard™ Minipreps DNA Purification Systems (Promega, Madison, Wis.; Catalog No. A7100) employing modifications for a 96-well format. The protocol was as follows:

-   -   1) Cultures were centrifuged in 96-deepwell plates at 3200 rpm,         for 10 minutes, at 4° C., and the supernatants were removed.     -   2) 140 μl each of cell resuspension solution (50 mM Tris-HCl (pH         7.5), 10 mM EDTA, 100 μg/ml RNase A), cell lysis solution (0.2 M         NaOH; 1.0% SDS) and neutralization solution (1.32 M Potassium         acetate, pH 4.8) were added, in order, with vortexing 1.4         seconds after addition of each reagent, to ensure good mixing.     -   3) Plates were placed in ice water for 15 minutes.     -   4) Samples were centrifuged at 3200 rpm, for 10 minutes, at 4°         C.     -   5) Supernatants were transferred to 96-well Polyfiltronics         polypropylene filterplate (10 micron, 0.8 ml).     -   6) 500 μl WP resin were added and incubated 3-5 minutes at room         temperature; suction was applied to the plate.     -   7) Samples were washed three times with 640 μl of the         resuspension solution.     -   8) Samples were centrifuged at 3200 rpm, for 0.5 minutes, at         room temperature, to remove residual buffer.     -   9) Samples were eluted 2-5 minutes with 40 μl room temperature         water.     -   10) Eluted DNA was centrifuged through to microwell plates at         3200 rpm, for 5 minutes, at room temperature.     -   11) DNA was quantitated.

Pooling Strategy. The pooling strategy was devised to provide optimal sized pools, 1200 cfu, for transfection and detection, and quick breakdown to the smaller pools of 150. Once a positive pool of 150 was identified, between 400 to 800 individual clones were needed to provide representation of the pool. Using a single pool of 1200 cfu initially would have meant fewer DNA probes but would have required the use of more individual clones (3200-6400) in the final identification step, thereby requiring significantly more time to identify a positive clone.

DNAs totalling 5 μg were pooled equally from eight wells, one column, to give a total of 1200 cfu. Thus, each 96-well plate gave rise to 12 pooled DNAs for transfection into COS-7 cells.

When a positive pool was identified, DNA was prepared from each of the eight wells constituting the pool and retransfected into COS-7 cells. When a positive well was identified, the well was broken down by plating out an aliquot of the glycerol freeze of that well such that several thousand individual colonies were obtained. For each positive well, between 400 and 800 colonies were picked and arrayed in a 96-well format, DNA was obtained, as described above, and the DNA from 24 wells was pooled for transfection. DNA representing each individual clone from a positive row was isolated and transfected for final identification.

Quantitative Ob cell surface binding analysis. Quantitative cell surface binding assays with AP-Ob fusion proteins were performed essentially as described previously for Kit-AP (Flanagan, J. G. and Leder, P., 1990, Cell 63:185-194).

Ob Protein. The recombinant murine Ob protein used herein has been described previously (Campfield et al., 1995, Science 269:546-549). The recombinant human Ob protein used herein was purified from Baculovirus supernatants with a monoclonal antibody column containing monoclonal antibody directed against human Ob. The purified recombinant human Ob protein was judged by standard Coomasie blue staining to be greater than 95% pure.

DNA Sequencing. Sequencing and sequence assembly were performed as described previously (International Polycystic Kidney Consortium, 1995, Cell 81:289-298).

Northern Analysis. Northern blot analysis of poly A+ mRNA from various tissues (Clontech) was probed, using standard techniques (Chirgwin, J. M. et al. 1979, Biochemistry 18:5294-5299), with labeled DNA amplified from sequences encoding the murine ObR extracellular domain.

RT-PCR. Reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) reactions were performed on 1 μg total RNA utilizing standard techniques (Zhang, Y. et al., 1994, Nature 372:425-432). Specifically, first strand cDNA was prepared using random hexamers. The first strand cDNA was then PCR amplified using primers derived from sequences encoding the ObR extracellular domain or G3PDH control primers.

7.2. Results 7.2.1. Cloning of the OB Receptor From Mouse Choroid Plexus

The strong, Ob-specific binding of the AP-Ob fusion protein to the murine choroid plexus described above, in the Example presented in Section 6, suggested that an Ob receptor could be expressed at high levels within this tissue. In order to attempt to clone a cDNA encoding the Ob receptor, therefore, the choroid plexuses from 300 mice were dissected, and a total of 11 μg poly A⁺ RNA was isolated from the tissue to be used to construct cDNA libraries as described above, in Section 7.1.

Initially, 3 μg poly A⁺ were used to generate cDNA, to be used in constructing mouse choroid plexus cDNA library A (mCP A). All of the cDNAs generated that were greater than 500 bp in size (261 ng) were pooled and 90 ng were ligated to pMET7. Transformation of this ligated cDNA into electrocompetent DH10B E. coli resulted in a library of approximately 7.2×10⁵ cfu, with an average size of 1 kb.

Recognizing that cDNA library A did not contain a sufficient number of clones containing inserts large enough to encode a receptor at a statistically reasonable frequency, a second 3 μg of poly A⁺ RNA was used to generate 758 ng of cDNA. 32 ng of cDNA representing the largest two fractions of cDNA were pooled and ligated into pMET7. Transformation of these ligated cDNA molecules resulted in mouse choroid plexus library D (mCP D), with 2.4×10⁵ cfu and an average insert size of 2 kb. Using only the largest two fractions of cDNA ensured that the library would be biased towards large cDNAs. This was confirmed by characterizing the insert sizes of ten clones; seven clones had inserts greater than 2 kb in length and no clones were seen with inserts smaller than 1 kb. This was in contrast to the library A where 16 out of 20 clones were smaller than 1 kb.

DNA representing 6×10⁵ cfu (40 plates) was prepared and pooled from the mouse choroid plexus library A. DNA representing 2.4×10⁵ cfu (16 plates) was prepared from mouse choroid plexus library D.

For screening purposes, the libraries were produced as pools of 150 clones, with a mixture of 8 pools being used in each transfection (i.e., 1200 clones/transfection). Pooled DNA was transiently transfected into COS-7 cells, and the cells were screened by incubation with supernatants containing the murine AP-Ob fusion protein, washed, and stained for AP activity in situ, all as described, above, in Sections 6.1 and 6.2. Once a positive pool was identified, the 8 individual subpools were each tested separately, and the resulting positive subpool was further subdivided until a single positive clone was identified.

A total of 632 DNA pools were derived from libraries A and D, with a total of 10 independent positive pools being identified. All of these positive pools were successfully broken down into subpools of 150 clones each, and one positive subpool was further subdivided until a single positive clone was identified. The clone, which contained a 5.1 kB cDNA insert, was designated famj5312.

7.2.2. The Ob Receptor (ObR) and ObR Gene

The famj5312 murine obR cDNA clone isolated, as described above, in Section 7.2.1, contained an insert of approximately 5.1 kb. The nucleotide sequence obtained from this clone is depicted in FIG. 1 (SEQ ID NO:1). The nucleotide sequence of the clone revealed a single open reading frame, the ObR derived amino acid sequence of which is also depicted in FIG. 1 (SEQ ID NO:2).

The deduced 894 amino acid sequence of the murine ObR protein begins with a methionine whose codon is within a DNA sequence that is consistent with a translation initiation site. The ObR amino acid sequence begins with a hydrophobic signal sequence from amino acid residues 1-23, which is typical of proteins that are to be either membrane-associated or secreted.

The murine Ob receptor protein contains a single hydrophobic transmembrane domain from amino acid residues 838-860, indicating that the Ob receptor spans the cell membrane once.

The position of the transmembrane domain indicates that the extracellular portion of the mature murine ObR protein spans from amino acid residue 24 to amino acid residue 837. A database search reveals that the extracellular domain of ObR contains regions of homology which place ObR into the Class I family of cytokine receptors (for reviews, see, e.g., Heldin, C.-H., 1995, Cell 80:213-223; and Kishimoto, T. and Tetsuya, T., 1994, Cell 76:253-252). ObR appears to be most closely related to the gp130 signal transducing component of the IL-6 receptor, the GSF receptor and the LIF receptor. Alignment studies of ObR and gp130 amino acid sequences revealed that, although the overall sequence identity between the two proteins is low, the characteristic conserved cysteine residues, the Trp-Ser-X-Trp-Ser motif, and other amino acid residues conserved within the class I family of proteins are clearly evident.

Following the single transmembrane domain, the murine Obr protein contains a short cytoplasmic domain of 34 amino acids (i.e., amino acid residues 861-894). Homology comparisons also reveal that the first twenty three amino acids of the ObR cytoplasmic domain show a 30% identity to membrane proximal sequences of the LIF receptor. Reverse transcription PCR amplification of obR mRNA from total RNA confirmed the presence of obR transcript (a single band of about 5 kb) in choroid plexus, and also demonstrated its presence in hypothalamus. Further, Northern blot analysis of poly A⁺ RNA derived from several mouse tissues revealed that obR mRNA is present in additional tissues, such as lung and kidney.

7.2.3. The OB Receptor Strongly Binds OB Protein

An analysis of the binding of AP-Ob to the ObR encoded by the obR cDNA described above, in Section 7.2.2, was conducted. The results of this analysis, depicted in FIG. 2, demonstrate that the ObR exhibits strong, Ob-specific binding to both mouse and human Ob protein.

A quantitative analysis of the binding of the AP fusion proteins is shown in FIG. 2. After transient transfection of the ObR clone into COS cells, strong binding of 1 nM murine AP-Ob is detected (relative to mock transfected COS cells or ObR transfected COS cells incubated with unfused AP) (FIG. 2A). This binding is nearly completely inhibited by 100 nM untagged recombinant mouse or human leptin protein, demonstrating that this receptor can bind native Ob. A fusion between AP and human Ob also binds mouse ObR with high affinity, as does a fusion protein with mouse leptin at the N-terminus and AP at the C-terminus (Ob-AP). Scatchard analysis of the binding of mouse AP-Ob (FIG. 2B) produced a value for the dissociation constant (KD) of 0.7×10⁻⁹ M.

7.2.4. Authenticity of the famj5312 Clone

The authenticity of the isolated obR famj5312 clone was tested in several ways. First, 8 independently isolated clones (in subpools of 150 clones each) were PCR amplified with primers made to obR sequences 3′ of the stop codon. Sequencing verified that all 8 clones contained the same 3′ untranslated sequences. In addition, the regions of 5 independently isolated clones encoding the ObR C-terminus were sequenced and each was shown to utilize the same stop codon. Finally, reverse transcription PCR (rt-PCR) of choroid plexus total RNA isolated from a different mouse strain (C57/BLKsJ) than that from which the cDNA libraries were derived generated an identical PCR product containing a stop codon in the same location. These data indicated that the isolated famj5312 cDNA clone was neither a chimeric clone nor was it the result of a rare aberrant splicing event, but, rather, represents a clone which encodes the predominant form of the ObR receptor in the choroid plexus.

7.2.5. Cloning Mouse Long Form ObR Encoding Nucleic Acids

As described herein, we have cloned the murine ObR long form.

In order to find the mouse homolog of the human long form of the obR gene (FIG. 3), semi-nested PCR was performed on first strand cDNA isolated from mouse hypothalamus, Ks, and choroid plexus, db and Ks, with 5′ primers from the region just before mouse short form starts to diverge from the human long form, and 3′ degenerate primers designed from the human ObR homolog intracellular region. The complete transcript was further characterized by 3′ RACE.

Total mRNA was prepared from C57Bl/KS (KS) and C57B1/KS-db (db) choroid plexus and hypothalamus. cDNA was reverse-transcribed from 1 μg of cDNA of mRNA using random hexamer or oligo dT as primer with Superscript Reverse Transcriptase from GIBCO-BRL. A total 24 μg of cDNA was made. For PCR, cDNA was diluted 1:200 and 3 μg of the diluted cDNA was used in a 25 μl reaction.

The first round of PCR reactions used a 5′ primer encoding the mouse ObR protein sequence PNPKNCSW (SEQ ID NO:29), and consisting of nucleotides 5′-CCAAACCCCAAGAATTGTTCCTGG-3′ (SEQ ID NO:30), and a reverse degenerate primer complementary to the nucleotide sequence encoding KIMENKMCD (SEQ ID NO:31), adjacent to the carboxy terminus of the human long form and consisting of nucleotides 5′-TC(GA)CACAT(CT)TT(GA)TT(GATC)CCCATTATCTT-3′ (SEQ ID NO:32).

For the second round of PCR reactions, the 3′ primer was the same, and the 5′ primer, which was internal to the previous 5′ primer, encoded the mouse ObR protein sequence AQGLNFQK (SEQ ID NO:33), and consisted of nucleotides 5′-GCACAAGGACTGAATTTCCAAAAG-3′ (SEQ ID NO:34).

PCR reactions were carried out as described above, except the nested PCR profile was 94° C. for 3 minutes; 94° C. for 30 seconds, 57° for 30 seconds, 72° C. for 40 seconds for 30 cycles; 72° C. for 5 minutes for one cycle.

DNA sequencing was performed on the automatic ABI 373A and 377 DNA sequencer by using the Taq cycle™ sequencing kit (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif.). Sequence analysis was performed using Sequencher.

Semi-nested PCR of the nucleic acids encoding the intracellular domain of murine long form ObR was also performed on mRNA isolated from hypothalamus in order to obtain sufficient quantities of a specific PCR product encoding the mouse long form of obR gene. Sequencing of the PCR product (FIG. 6) confirmed that this DNA encodes the mouse homolog of the long form of ObR. The transcripts of the short and long forms are identical until the fifth codon 5′ of the stop codon of the short form and then diverge completely, suggestive of alternative splicing. The deduced amino acid sequences from mouse long form and the human ObR are homologous throughout the length of the coding region and share 75% identity (FIG. 7).

7.2.6. Expression Profile of ObR mRNA

As a first step in understanding the tissue distribution of ObR, the expression of its mRNA was examined in various murine tissues. To this end, Northern blot analysis of poly A⁺ mRNA (2 μg/lane) obtained from various mouse tissues (heart, brain, spleen, lung, liver, skeletal muscle, kidney, and testes; Clontech, Palo Alto, Calif.) was probed with labelled DNA amplified from sequences encoding the ObR extracellular domain. Hybridizations were done in Rapid-hyb™ buffer (Amersham) at 65° C. following the manufacturer's instructions.

In most tissues, the obR mRNA appears as a single band, slightly larger than 5 kb, indicating that the 5.1 kb cDNA clones described herein are full-length. Of the tissues assayed, expression was seen in lung, kidney, and total brain. No expression was detected in testes.

RT-PCR amplification of the obR mRNA from total RNA confirmed the presence of this transcript in choroid plexus and also demonstrated its presence in hypothalamus. The RT-PCR reactions were performed on 1 μg total RNA isolated from mouse choroid plexus or hypothalamus. Tissues were isolated from db/db mice (C57Bl/BLKsJ background) or +/+littermate controls. First strand cDNA, prepared using random hexamers, was PCR amplified using primers derived from sequences encoding the ObR extracellular domain or G3PDH control primers. No bands were detected from the amplification of mock reverse-transcribed total RNA controls run in parallel.

8. EXAMPLE The obR Gene is the db Gene

The experiments and studies described below demonstrate that the obR gene maps to the db locus, and that the obR gene in db mice is a mutant form of obR that results in transcription of an aberrantly spliced mRNA having a 106 nucleotide insert resulting in a truncated long form murine ObR protein that is identical to murine short form ObR.

8.1. The obR Gene Maps within the db Genetic Interval

In the Example presented herein, studies are described which indicate that the obR gene maps to a 4 to 5 cM region on mouse chromosome 4 which represents the same region to which the db locus maps.

8.1.1. Materials and Methods

PCR Amplification. The following famj5312-derived primers were used for amplification of mouse genomic DNA: forward primer, 5′-GCTGCACTTAACCTGGC-3′ (SEQ ID NO:23); reverse primer, 5′-GGATAACTCAGGAACG-3′(SEQ ID NO:24).

The PCR reaction mixture contained 6 μl of template DNA (10 ng/μl), 1.4 μl 10× Perkin Elmer (Norwalk, Conn.) PCR buffer, 1.12 μl dNTPs (2.5 mM), 1.05 μl Forward primer (6.6 μM), 1.05 μl Reverse primer (6.6 μM), 0.38 μl H₂O and 3 μl AmpliTaq Hotstart™ polymerase (Perkin Elmer; 0.5 U/μl).

The amplification profile was as follows: 94° C., 2 minutes, at which point the ampliTaq was added, then 30 cycles of 94° C. for 40 seconds, 55° C. for 50 seconds, and 72° C. for 30 seconds.

A second set of primers were utilized under the same conditions except that the 55° C. cycle was conducted at 52° C.: forward primer, 5′-CACTATTTGCCCTTCAG-3′(SEQ ID NO:25); reverse primer, 5′-GCCTGAGATAGGGGTGC-3′(SEQ ID NO:26).

Electrophoresis. Samples were run on both nondenaturing 8% acrylamide gels run at 45 W, room temperature, for 3 hours and nondenaturing 10% acrylamide SSCP (single stranded conformational polymorphism) gels run at 20 W, 4° C., for 2.5 hours.

Both types of gels were stained with SYBR Green I and scanned on an MD Fluorimager™ Both types of gels gave interpretable results.

8.1.2. Mapping of the famj5312 obR cDNA Clone

PCR primers were designed from the coding sequence of famj5312 cDNA, as described in Section 8.1. These primers amplified a 192 bp fragment from C57Bl/6J genomic DNA, consistent with the base pair length between the two primers in the obR cDNA, and a 195 bp fragment from the wild-type derived Mus spretus strain SPRET/Ei. The 3 bp insertion in the Mus spretus allele codes for an additional Asn between amino acid residues 45 and 46. The genetic segregation of the Mus spretus 195 pb allele of ObR was followed in 182 backcross progeny of the cross (C57Bl/6J×Mus spretus) F₁ females×C57Bl/6J males by both Single Stranded Conformational Polymorphism (SSCP) gel electrophesis and nondenaturing gel electrophoresis for size determination. The segregation pattern of the Mus spretus allele was compared to the segregation pattern of 226 other genetic loci that have been mapped in this backcross panel. By minimizing the number of multiple crossovers between obR and other markers, it was determined that obR maps to murine chromosome 4, approximately 2.2±1.6 cM distal to the marker D4Mit9 and 4.6±1.6 cM proximal of the marker D4Mit46. The genetic map position of obR was further refined by mapping additional genetic markers. The obR gene maps 0.6±0.6 cM distal from D4Mit255 and 0.6±0.6 cM proximal of D4Mit155; see FIG. 8.

Additional primer pairs were designed (forward=5′-CACTATTTGCCCTTCAG-3′ (SEQ ID NO:27); reverse=5′-GCCTGAGATAGGGGTGC-3′ (SEQ ID NO:28)) from the 3′ sequence of famj5312 cDNA, which also revealed a polymorphism on SSCP gels between C57Bl/6J genomic DNA and that of the wild derived Mus spretus strain SPRET/Ei. Again this permitted the genetic mapping of famj5312 cDNA, now using a different fragment of the clone. The mapping of this polymorphism was 100% concordant with the mapping of famj5312 reported above, both confirming the mapping of obR and indicating that the famj5312 cDNA clone was not chimeric.

8.1.3. Definition of the Murine db Genetic Region

The mouse db gene was originally mapped to mouse chromosome 4 (Hummel, K.-P. et al., 1966, Science 153:1127-1128). This genetic localization has been refined (Bahary et al., 1990, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87:8642-8646; Bahary et al., 1993, Genomics 16:113-122) to place db within a genetic interval of 1.5 cM between the proximal Ornithine decarboxylase 4 (Odc4) locus and the anonymous distal markers D4Rck22 and D4Rck69. Bahary et al. 1993, supra, also report D4Mit205 as being 1.1 cM proximal to Odc4. Hence, relative to D4Mit205, the db gene was mapped approximately 2.2 cM distal.

The db allele originally arose on the C57Bl/BLKsJ inbred strain. The db mutation has subsequently been transferred to other genetic backgrounds to form congenic strains. By typing animals of the congenic strain C57Bl/6J-m db, it was possible to define the genetic interval within which the db gene had to reside on mouse chromosome 4. By this analysis, the interval that must contain the db gene was defined as the approximate 4 cM between the proximal anonymous DNA marker D4Mit255 and the distal markers D4Mit331 and D4Mit31. (Genetic distance as defined on the Mit map; Dieteich et al., 1994, Nature Genetics 7:220-245; Copeland et al., 1993, Science 262:67; Whitehead Institute/MIT Center for Genome Research, Genetic Map of the Mouse, Database Release 10, Apr. 28, 1995). It should be noted that the interval defined by Bahary et al. 1993, supra, appears to be a few centimorgans proximal of the region as defined herein. See FIG. 8, in which the distance between D4Mit255 and D4Mit31 is about 5.1 cm.

By comparing the mapping data for famj5312 with the db mapping data described above, the map position of famj5312, 0.6±0.6 cM distal from D4Mit255 and 0.6±0.6 cM proximal of D4Mit155, is in complete accordance with obR being the db gene.

8.2. The obR Mutation in db Mice Results in a Truncated Long Form Receptor 8.2.1. Materials and Methods

Total mRNA was prepared from C57Bl/KS (KS) and C57Bl/KS-db (db) choroid plexus and hypothalamus. cDNA was reverse-transcribed from 1 μg of cDNA of mRNA using random hexamer or oligo-dT as primers with Superscript™ Reverse Transcriptase from GIBCO-BRL. A total 24 μg of cDNA was made. For PCR, cDNA was diluted 1:200 and 3 μg of the diluted cDNA was used in a 25 μl reaction.

From the mouse short form cDNA clone, famj5312, and the long form cDNA clone (FIG. 6), primers were designed covering the entire coding region of both the short and long forms of obR cDNA. Overlapping PCR fragments with an average size of 600 bp were generated from each sample. PCR products were electrophoresed on an 0.8% low melting agarose gel. DNA was isolated from the gel and agarased. Agarased DNA fragments were sequenced with both end primers as well as internal primers.

PCR Conditions. The 25 μl PCR reaction contained 2 mM MgCl₂, 0.5 mM of each primer, 200 mM each of dATP, dTTP, dCTP and dGTP, and 0.5 units of Taq polymerase in 1× Taq polymerase buffer (Perkin-Elmer). All PCR reactions were performed in the GeneAmp™ PCR System 9600 (Perkin-Elmer). Unless otherwise described, the general PCR profile was 94° C. for 3 minutes; 94° C. for 10 seconds, 57° C. for 10 seconds, 72° C. for 40 seconds for 35 cycles; and 72° C. for 5 minutes, for one cycle.

DNA sequencing and Sequence Analysis. DNA sequencing was performed on the automatic ABI 373A and 377 DNA sequencer by using the Taq cycle sequencing kit (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif.). Sequence analysis was performed using Sequencher.

8.2.2. Results

Semi-nested PCR was performed on mRNA isolated from choroid plexuses of KS and db mice. The PCR product generated using the db cDNA as template was approximately 100 bp longer than that using Ks DNA as template. The PCR products from both were directly sequenced. No sequence difference was detected within the coding sequence of the short form of the mRNA species expressed in the choroid plexus of these mice. However, upon the sequencing of the PCR product that was generated starting from the transmembrane domain shared by the two forms and ending in the intracellular domain specific for the long form, a difference became apparent between db/db and control in several tissues. The sequencing data showed that the putative db long form of obR has an additional 106 bp insertion in the normal long form transcript (FIG. 9). This 106 bp includes sequence encoding the last five amino acids, stop codon as well as 88 bp 3′ UTR region of the short form. The db long form produces a truncated ObR protein identical to the short form which lacks the intracellular domain. The normal long form was not detected in any db tissues, nor was the db long form detected in control tissues.

To understand the mechanism of this apparent splicing error, the obR genomic sequences of the db/db and control mice were compared. A single nucleotide change of G→T was discovered 2 bp immediately after the 106 bp insertion site in db/db mice. This change creates a splice donor which converts the 106 bp fragment to an exon inserted in the db long form. Because of this insertion, the db long form produces only a truncated protein, which does not have the intracellular signal domain. Since the class I cytokine receptors to which ObR is most closely related all have a long intracellular domain, the long intracellular domain of the long form is crucial for initiating intracellular signal transduction. These data support the role of this receptor in weight modulation, and the failure to produce ObR long form as the cause of the severe obese phenotype in db/db mice.

9. EXAMPLE Cloning Human ObR Encoding Nucleic Acids

Described herein is the cloning and identification of cDNA and gemonic DNA which encode human obR.

9.1. Cloning the Human Obr cDNA

The famj5312 cDNA insert was used to probe a human fetal brain cDNA library in the Uni-Zap XR™ vector obtained from Sratagene (La Jolla, Calif.). A cDNA library generated from a human fetal brain was chosen because of the likelihood that this library would contain cDNAs present in the entire brain, including the choroid plexus, the tissue source of the mouse obR cDNA, as well as cDNAs present in the hypothalamus.

The cDNA library was plated on 20 plates with approximately 50,000 pfu/plate. Duplicated filter lifts were done on each plate with Amersham Hybond-N™ nylon membrane filters. The filters were denatured, neutralized, and cross-linked according to standard procedures. The probe was radioactively labelled by random priming in the presence of ³²P labelled nucleotide. The filters were hybridized with probe overnight at 65° C. in Church's buffer (7% SDS, 250 mM NaHPO₄, 2 μM EDTA, 1% BSA). The next day, filters were washed in 2×SSC/0.1% SDS for 20 minutes at 65° C., then in 0.1×SSC/0.1% SDS for 10 minutes. They were then exposed to Kodak film at −80° C. for 5 hours.

After matching duplicated filters, 13 duplicated signals were observed. Secondary plating was followed by plating out 10 μl of 1:1000 dilution of each primary plug. The same probe, hybridization and wash conditions were used as above. Film was exposed at 80° C. for 2 hours. Only 1 of the 13 original positives produced a duplicate signal on the film.

Four independent plaques from the positive plate were processed and excised with ExAssist™ helper phage, XL1-Blue cells and SOLR cells, as described by Stratagene. Excision products were then plated out on LB/Amp plates and incubated at 37° C. overnight. One white colony was picked up from each plate and grown in liquid LB/Amp at 37° C. overnight. The next day, mini-preps were done with the Promega Wizard™ Mini-prep kit. The sizes of the inserts were determined by digesting the mini-prep products with EcoRI and XhoI. One of the four clones (d) had an insert of approximately 6 kb.

DNA for sequencing was prepared using a Qiagen Plasmid Maxi kit.

FIG. 3 depicts the nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO:3) of human obR cDNA encoding the signal sequence (amino acid residue 1 to about amino acid residue 20), extracellular domain (from about amino acid residue 21 to about amino acid residue 839), transmembrane domain (from about amino acid residue 840 to about amino acid residue 862), and cytoplasmic domain (from about amino acid residue 863 to about amino acid residue 1165).

9.2. Cloning Human obR Genomic DNA

As described herein, human obR genomic DNA has been cloned.

The famj5312 cDNA insert was used to probe human high density PAC filters purchased from Genome Systems Inc. (Catalog No. FPAC-3386). The probe was random prime labelled using the Prime-It™ kit (Stratagene; Catalog No. 300392). The hybridization was carried out in Amersham Rapid-hyb™ buffer according to the manufacturer's recommendations. The filters were then washed in 2×SSC/1% SDS at 65° C. and exposed to Kodak film at −80° C.

Eleven putative positive PAC clones were identified. Their grid position was determined, and the clones were purchased from Genome Systems, Inc.

The clone at grid position P298-K6, which we have designated hobr-p87, was further validated as containing the entire ObR coding region by PCR testing with primer pairs from the 5′(obRF4 and obRR4) and 3′(obRS and obRO) ends of the obR open reading frame. The primers used in this validation were as follows: (SEQ ID NO:35) obRF4: 5′-CTGCCTGAAGTGTTAGAAGA-3′; (SEQ ID NO:36) obRR4: 5′-GCTCAACTGACATTAGAGGTG-3′; (SEQ ID NO:37) obRS: 5′-ACCTATGACGACCAAAGCCACAGAC-3′; (SEQ ID NO:38) obRO: 5′-TGTGAGCAACTGTCCTCGAGAACT-3′.

The hobr-p87 clone was deposited with the ATCC on Dec. 28, 1995.

10. EXAMPLE Construction of ObR Immunoglobulin Fusion Proteins 10.1. Preparation of OBR-IG Fusion Proteins

The extracellular portion of human ObR is prepared as a fusion protein coupled to an immunoglobulin constant region. The immunoglobulin constant region may contain genetic modifications including those which reduce or eliminate effector activity inherent in the immunoglobulin structure. (See, e.g., PCT Publication No. WO88/07089, published Sep. 22, 1988). Briefly, PCR overlap extension is applied to join DNA encoding the extracellular portion of human ObR to DNA encoding the hinge, CH2 and CH3 regions of human IgG1. This is accomplished as described in the following subsections.

10.2. Preparation of Gene Fusions

PCR reactions are prepared in 100 μl final volume composed of Pfu polymerase and buffer (Stratagene) containing primers (1 μM each), dNTPs (200 μM each), and 1 ng of template DNA.

DNA fragments corresponding to the DNA sequences encoding the ObR ECD, or a portion thereof that binds Ob, are prepared by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using primer pairs designed so as to amplify sequences encoding the entire human ObR ECD as well as a small amount of 5′ noncoding sequence. For example, the forward primer: 5′-GTCACGATGTCGACGTGTACTTCTCTGAAGTAAGATGATTTG-3′ (SEQ ID NO:39) corresponds to nucleotides −20 to +8 in FIG. 3 with an additional 14 nucleotides (containing a SalI site) at the 5′ terminus. The reverse primer: 5′-GTCAGGTCAGAAAAGCTTATCACTCTGTGTTTTTCAATATCATCTTGAGTGAA-3′ (SEQ ID NO:40) corresponds to the complement of nucleotides +2482 to +2517 in FIG. 3, with an additional 18 nucleotides (containing a HindIII site) at the 5′ terminus. A cDNA encoding human ObR serves as the template for amplifying the extracellular domain. PCR amplification with these primers generates a DNA fragment that encodes ObR extracellular domain.

In a second PCR reaction, a second set of primers are designed to amplify the IgG constant region (i.e., the hinge, CH2, and CH3, domains) such that the reverse primer has an unique restriction site and the sequence of the forward primer has a 5′ terminus that is complementary to the 5′ terminal region of the reverse primer used in the ObR ECD amplification, supra (i.e., 5′-AAGCTTTTCTGACCTGACNNN-3′ (SEQ ID NO:41)) and that will enable the open reading frame in the ObR encoding nucleotide sequence to continue throughout the length of the IgG nucleotide sequence to be amplified. The template DNA in this reaction is the 2000 nucleotide segment of human IgG heavy chain genomic DNA (Ellison et al., 1982, Nuc. Acids. Res. 10:4071-4079).

The complete human obR-IgG fusion segment is prepared by an additional PCR reaction. The purified products of the two PCR reactions above are mixed, denatured (95° C., 1 minute) and then renatured (54° C., 30 seconds) to allow complementary ends of the two fragments to anneal. The strands are filled in using dNTPs and Taq polymerase and the entire fragment amplified using forward PCR primer of the first PCR reaction and the reverse PCR primer of the second PCR reaction. For convenience of cloning into the expression vector, the resulting fragment is then cleaved with restriction enzymes which recognize unique designed sites in the forward PCR primer of the first PCR reaction and the reverse PCR primer of the second PCR reaction. This digested fragment is then cloned into an expression vector that has also been treated with these restriction enzymes.

Sequence analysis is used to confirm structure, and the construct is used to transfect COS cells to test transient expression.

Those skilled in the art are aware of various considerations which influence the choice of expression vector into which the obR-IgG fusion segment is to be cloned, such as the identity of the host organism and the presence of elements necessary for achieving desired transcriptional and translational control. For example, if transient expression is desired, the obR-IgG fusion segment generated supra can be cloned into the expression vector pcDNA-1 (Invitrogen). Alternatively, stable expression of the fusion protein can be achieved by cloning the obR-IgG fusion segment into the expression vector pcDNA-3 (InVitrogen).

Alternatively, mouse and/or human obR-IgG fusion proteins can be generated using an expression vector such as the CD5-IgG1 vector (described by Aruffo et al., 1990, Cell 61:1303-1313), which already contains the IgG constant region. According to this method, the DNA fragment encoding the ObR extracellular domain is generated in a PCR reaction so that the open reading frame encoding the ObR extracellular domain is continuous and in frame with that encoding the IgG constant region.

For example, the extracellular domains (including signal peptides) of mouse and human ObR were PCR amplified with Extaq (PanVera Corp.). The following primers were used for amplification of mouse and human ObR in first generation expression constructs. Mouse: Forward primer, 5′-CCCAATGTCGACATGATGTGTCAGAAATTCTAT-3′ (SEQ ID NO:45), Reverse primer, 5′-AAAAAGGATCCGGTCATTCTGCTGCTTGTCGAT-3′ (SEQ ID NO:46). Human: Forward primer, 5′-CCCAATGTCGACATGGTGTACTTCTCTGAAGTA-3, (SEQ ID NO:47), Reverse primer, 5′-TTTTTGGATCCCACCTGCATCACTCTGGTG-3′ (SEQ ID NO:48).

Each forward primer above contains a SalI restriction site and each reverse primer above contains a BamHI restriction site. After amplification using the mouse and human obR cDNAs as templates, the resulting PCR fragments were cloned into the XhoI/BamHI sites of the CD5-IgG vector (Aruffo et al., 1990, Cell). The resulting vectors were transiently transfected into COS cells and conditioned media was generated. Immunoprecipitation (IP) of the conditioned media with protein A and analysis by SDS PAGE revealed that the mouse ObR IgG fusion was expressed at greater levels than human ObR-IgG. To improve expression of the human ObR-IgG fusion, primers were designed which amplified the extracellular domain of human ObR (without the signal peptide), and this fragment was coligated with sequences encoding the signal-peptide of mouse ObR into the CD5-IgG vector. The following primers used for amplification of the human ObR ECD fragment that was fused with mouse ObR signal peptide. Forward primer,

5′-TTTAACTTGTCATATCCAATTACTCCTTGGAGATTTAAGTTGTCTTGC-3′ (SEQ ID NO:49); reverse primer, 5′-TTTTTGGATCCCACCTGCATCACTCTGGTG-3′ (SEQ ID NO:50).

After amplification, restriction enzyme digestion, and subcloning, the resulting construct was transiently expressed in COS cells. IP and SDS-PAGE analysis of the resulting conditioned media showed successful expression of the 170 kDa human ObR IgG fusion. An alternative method for enhancing the expression of immunoglobulin fusion proteins, involves insertion of the ObR extracellular domain (not including the signal peptide) into the CD5-IgG1 vector in such a manner that the CD5 signal peptide is fused to the mature ObR extracellular domain. Such a signal peptide fusion has been shown to improve expression of immunoglobulin fusion proteins.

10.3. Preparation of Modified Ch2 Domains

The nucleotide sequence of the obR-IgG gene fusion generated supra, can be modified to replace cysteine residues in the hinge region with serine residues and/or amino acids within the CH2 domain which are believed to be required for IgG binding to Fc receptors and complement activation.

Modification of the CH2 domain to replace amino acids thought to be involved in binding to Fc receptor is accomplished as follows. The plasmid construct generated supra, provides the template for modifications of the ObR-IgCγ1 CH2 domain. This template is PCR amplified using the forward PCR primer described in the first PCR reaction supra and a reverse primer designed such that it is homologous to the 5′ terminal portion of the CH2 domain of IgG1 except for five nucleotide substitutions designed to change amino acids 234, 235, and 237 (Canfield, S. M. and Morrison, S. L., 1991, J. Exp. Med. 173:1483-1491) from Leu to Ala, Leu to Glu, and Gly to Ala, respectively. Amplification with these PCR primers yields a DNA fragment consisting of a modified portion of the CH2 domain. In a second PCR reaction, the template is PCR amplified with the reverse primer used in the second PCR reaction supra, and a forward primer which is designed such that it is complementary to the Ig portion of the molecule and contains the five complementary nucleotide changes necessary for the CH2 amino acid replacements. PCR amplification with these primers yields a fragment consisting of the modified portion of the CH2 domain, an intron, the CH3 domain, and 3′ additional sequences. The complete obR-IgCyl segment consisting of a modified CH2 domain is prepared by an additional PCR reaction. The purified products of the two PCR reactions above are mixed, denatured (95° C., 1 minute) and then renatured (54° C., 30 seconds) to allow complementary ends of the two fragments to anneal. The strands are filled in using dNTP and Taq polymerase and the entire fragment is amplified using the forward PCR primer of the first PCR reaction and the reverse PCR primer of the second PCR reaction. For convenience of cloning into the expression vector, the resulting fragment is then cleaved with restriction enzymes recognizing sites specific to the forward PCR primer of the first PCR reaction and the reverse PCR primer of the second PCR reaction. This digested fragment is then cloned into an expression vector that has also been treated with these restriction enzymes.

Sequence analysis is used to confirm structure, and the construct is used to transfect COS cells to test transient expression. hIgG ELISA is used to measure/confirm transient expression levels approximately equal to 100 ng protein/ml cell supernatant for the construct. CHO cell lines are transfected for permanent expression of the fusion proteins.

10.4. OBR-Ig Neutralizes Ob Protein

To establish whether the ObR-IgG fusion proteins were capable of binding and neutralizing OB protein (leptin) in vitro and in mice, large scale transient transfections were performed in 293 cells using the mouse ObR-IgG fusion protein. The ObR-IgG protein was purified to near homogeneity on a protein A column and analyzed for its ability to inhibit the binding of an alkaline phosphatase-OB fusion protein (AP-OB) to cell surface ObR.

COS cells were transiently transfected with mouse obR cDNA and tested for their ability to bind 0.5 nM AP-OB. As demonstrated in FIG. 10, purified ObR-IgG was able to potently inhibit, or neutralize, the binding of AP-OB fusion protein to cell surface ObR.

FIG. 10, column 1, shows the high levels of specific binding observed in the absence of ObR-IgG fusion protein. Columns 2, 3, and 4 show the near complete inhibition of binding observed with three different column fractions of purified ObR-IgG.

11. The OBR Long-Form has Signalling Capabilities of IL-6 Type Cytokine Receptors

To address whether the cloned ObR isoforms are signaling competent, the ObR gene was introduced into established tissue culture cell lines, and the cell response to OB treatment was compared with that mediated by the structurally-related IL-6 type cytokine receptors. The results presented in this example provide evidence that the ObR long form is a signal-transducing molecule and shares functional specificity with IL-6-type cytokine receptors.

11.1. Materials and Methods 11.1.1 Cells

COS-1, COS-7, H-35 (Baumann et al., 1989, Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 557:280-297), HepG2, and Hep3B (Lai et al., 1995, J. Biol. Chem. 270:23254-23257) cells were cultured as described. The cells were treated in medium containing 0.5% fetal calf serum alone or supplemented with 1 μM dexamethasone, 0.1-1000 ng/ml human OB, 1000 ng/ml mouse OB, IL-6 (Genetics Institute) or G-CSF (Immunex Corp.). To inhibit signaling by gp130, the cells were treated with the combination of two pan-blocking monoclonal antibodies against human gp130, B-R3 (Chevalier et al., 1995, N.Y. Acad. Sci. 762:482-484) and 144 (20 μg/ml).

11.1.2. Expression Vectors and Cat Reporter Gene Constructs

Expression vectors for the long form of human ObR and the short form of mouse ObR are described above (Sections 7-9). The truncated human G-CSFR(27) (Ziegler et al., 1993, Mol. Cell. Biol. 13:2384-2390) and rat STAT1, STAT3 and STAT5B (Lai et al., 1995, J. Biol. Chem. 270:23254-23257; Ripperger et al., 1995, J. Biol. Chem., 270:29998-30006) have been described. ObR with a mutated box 3 sequence (Y1141F) was generated by overlap extension PCR using synthetic oligonucleotides encoding the specified amino acid substitution (Higuchi et al., 1988, Nucleic Acids Res. 12:5707-5717). The y1141F contains a replacement of the tyrosine at position 1141 with phenyalanine. Plasmid SV-SPORT1 (Life Technologies, Inc.) containing rat STAT3 truncated by 55 carboxy-terminal residues has been generated by converting codons 716 and 717 into two stop codons. The CAT reporter gene constructs, pHRRE-CAT and pIL-6RE-CAT, have been described previously (Lia et al., 1995, J. Biol. Chem. 270:23254-23257; Morella et al., 1995, J. Biol. Chem. 270:8298-8310).

11.1.3. Cell Transfection and Analysis

COS-1, H-35 and Hep3B cells were transfected with plasmid DNA by the DEAE-dextran method (Lopata et al., 1989, Nucleic Acids Res. 12:5707-5717); HepG2 cells by the calcium phosphate method (Graham et al., 1973, Virology 52:456-461); and COS-7 cells by the lipofectamine method. Subcultures of COS cells were maintained for 16 hours in serum-free medium prior to the activation of STAT proteins by treatment with cytokines for 15 minutes. DNA binding by STAT proteins was determined by EMSA on whole cell extracts as described in Sadowski et al. (1993, Science 26:1739-1744). Double stranded oligonucleotides for the high affinity SIEm67 (Sadowski et al., 1993, Science 26:1739-1744) and TB-2 (Ripperger et al., 1995, J. Biol. Chem. 270:29998-30006) served as EMSA substrates. CAT gene-transfected cell cultures were treated for 24 hours with cytokines or OB. CAT activities were quantitated by testing serial dilutions of cell extracts, normalized to the expression of the cotransfected marker plasmid pIE-MUP (Morella et al., 1995, J. Biol. Chem. 270:8298-8310), and are expressed relative to the value of the untreated control cultures in each experimental series (defined as =1.0). Quantitative cell surface binding of the AP-OB fusion protein (Section 6) was done essentially as outlined by Cheng and Flanagan (1994, Cell 79:157-168).

11.2. Results and Discussion 11.2.1. OBR Activates Stat Proteins

To determine whether ObR has the ability to recruit the cellular signaling machinery, COS cells were transiently transfected with expression vectors for the two representative forms of ObR, mouse short form (also corresponding to a mutated form detected in db/db mice) and human long form. Two days after transfection, cells were incubated in 1 nM human or mouse alkaline phosphatase-OB, and cell surface expression of ObR was detected as indicated by specific binding of the alkaline phosphatase-OB (AP-OB) fusion protein. Transfection of the short form ObR resulted in approximately 10-fold higher binding than the long form. Scatchard transformation of binding data performed at multiple AP-OB concentrations indicated that the lower binding observed for the long form was mainly a result of reduced cell surface expression. The mouse short form bound both the murine and human ligands with an affinity of 0.7 nM, and the human long form bound both the murine and human ligands with an affinity of 1.0 nM.

COS-1 cells were co-transfected with expression vectors for human or mouse ObR (2 μg/ml) and the various STAT proteins (3 μg/ml). Co-transfection of the expression vectors for ObR and various STAT isoforms allowed analysis of the ligand-induced activation of specific STAT proteins. The transfected cells were treated for 15 minutes without or with murine OB (100 ng/ml) and activation of DNA binding of the STAT proteins was identified by EMSA using the diagnostic oligonucleotide substrates STE or TB-2. In these experiments, only the long form of ObR activated either endogenous COS STAT proteins, or the co-expressed STAT1, STAT3, or STAT5B. Activation of all STAT isoforms by ObR was ligand dependent. In contrast, the short form of ObR was unable to activate any endogenous or co-transfected STAT proteins despite its high surface expression. Since the long form of ObR activated all the STAT proteins that are also activated by G-CSFR, LIFR, and gp130 (Kishimoto et al., 1995, Blood 86:1243-1254; Lia et al., 1995, J. Biol. Chem. 270:23254-23257), the long form ObR was predicted to stimulate transcription with a specificity of the IL-6-type cytokine receptors.

11.2.2. OBR Signals Induce Gene Expression

Rodent and human hepatoma cell lines have previously been utilized to define the gene-inducing action of ectopically-expressed hematopoietin receptors (Baumann et al., Mol. Cell. Biol. 14:138-146). Consequently, three complementary hepatoma cell lines were applied to characterize ObR signaling. The long or short forms of ObR or human G-CSFR, were introduced into rat H-35 cells, together with the HRRE-CAT reporter gene construct, the expression of which is increased in these cells by signals of many hematopoietin receptors (Morella et al., 1995, J. Biol. Chem. 270:8298-8310). Subcultures were treated for 24 hours with serum-free medium alone or containing cytokines (mOB, LIF, or IL-6) with or without dexamethasone. The long form of ObR mediated ligand-dependent induction of CAT gene expression. The stimulatory action was synergistically enhanced by dexamethasone. The cell response mediated by ObR was highly similar to that of the endogenous IL-6R but characteristically different from the endogenous LIFR. In contrast, the short form of ObR failed to induce gene expression, indicating that the 34 residue cytoplasmic domain, despite the presence of a box 1-related motif, was ineffective in recruitment of the cellular signaling components. The fact that the G-CSFR with a cytoplasmic domain truncated to 27 residues still induced gene transcription in the presence of ligand illustrated that the cells were able to respond to the signal derived from a short, box-1-containing cytoplasmic domain of a hematopoietin receptor. The lack of induction of CAT gene expression in G-CSFR-transfected control cells demonstrates that H-35 cells do not respond to OB in the absence of transfected ObR.

11.2.3. OBR Functions Independently of gp130

The results described above support the model that the long form of ObR reconstitutes a signaling pathway similar to that of IL-6R. Next, to determine whether gp130 is part of the functional ObR, the long form of ObR was introduced together with HRRE-CAT or IL-6RE-CAT into HepG2 cells and the inhibitory effects of anti gp130 antibodies was assessed.

Treatment of the transfected HepG2 cells with either mouse or human OB produced a similarly strong induction which was in the range of that produced by IL-6 (30-40 fold stimulation). A dose response analysis indicated that maximal regulation was achieved with 100 ng/ml OB. In four independent experiments, it was established that 1-5 ng/ml OB produced a half-maximal stimulation, and that 1000 ng/ml yielded a stimulation that was consistently below maximum. In the presence of monoclonal antibodies against human gp130, which are known to prevent signaling by all IL-6 type cytokine receptors (Chevalier et al., 1995, N.Y. Acad. Sci. 762:482-484), the stimulation of gene expression by IL-6 was abolished as expected, whereas the regulation by OB was unaffected. These results indicate that ObR functions independently of gp130 (insensitive to anti-gp130) and that signal initiation may be triggered by receptor homo-oligomerization.

11.2.4. Box 3 Sequence of OBR AND STAT3 are Involved 1N Signaling

Induction of transcription via IL-6 RE is characteristic of the hematopoietin receptors of IL-10R which contain at least one copy of the box 3 motif (YXXQ) in their cytoplasmic domains (Lai et al., 1995, J. Biol. Chem. 270:23254-23257). This box 3 sequence has been implicated in recruiting STAT3 to the receptor as part of its activation by receptor-associated kinases (Lia et al., 1995, J. Biol. Chem. 270:23254-23257); Stahl et al., 1995, Science 267:1349-1353). The long form of ObR (FIG. 3) contains at amino acid position 1141 to 1144 one copy of the box 3 motif that could account for the activation of STAT3 and transcriptional stimulation of IL-6RE-CAT. To assess whether the box 3 motif of ObR and STAT3 were involved in the gene inducing effect of ObR, two complementary reagents were applied: a box 3-mutant ObR and a dominant negative STAT3. The role of box 3-sequence in the long form of ObR was determined by mutating tyrosine at amino acid position 1141 to phenylalanine (Y1141F). Hep G2 and H-35 cells were transfected with an expression vector for wild-type ObR or ObRY1141F (2 μg/ml) together with either PHRRE-CAT or pIL-6RE-CAT. Cells were treated with human OB (100 ng/ml), and the relative change in CAT activity was determined. The mutant ObR transfected into HepG2 cells yielded a lower stimulation of both the HRRE-and IL-6RE-CAT reporter gene constructs than the wild-type ObR. For example, stimulation of HRRE-CAT expression was reduced 40 fold in HepG2 cells and H-35 cells. Stimulation of IL-6RE-CAT was reduced 20-fold in HepG2 cells and 100-fold in H-35 cells. Control experiments indicated that reduced signaling activity of the mutant ObR was not due to compromised surface expression as shown by AP-OB binding. The relative effect of the mutation was more prominent on IL-6RE than on HRRE. A similar experiment carried out in H-35 cells showed that box 3 mutation was correlated with a loss of IL-6RE regulation, whereas HRRE regulation was minimally affected. The results are consistent with previous observations that, in some cell lines, the recruitment of STAT3 was more important in gene induction through IL-6RE then through HRRE (Lai et al., 1995, J. Biol. Chem. 270:23254-23257; Morella et al., 1995, J. Biol. Chem. 270:8298-8310; Wang et al., 1995, Blood 86:1671-1679).

The reduced gene-regulatory effect of the Y1141F ObR mutant was also correlated with a lower activation of STAT proteins. When the mutant ObR was transfected into COS-1 cells, as done for the wild-type ObR, activation of the endogenous COS STAT proteins was not detected. Also, ObR Y1141F was approximately 10 times less effective in activating overexpressed STAT1 and STAT3 than wild type ObR. Activation of STAT5B was, however, unaffected by the mutation. This profile of STAT activation by ObR Y1141F was in agreement with that observed for box 3-deficient gp130 (Lai et al., 1995, J. Biol. Chem. 270:23254-23257) and G-CSFR (Morella et al., 1995, J. Biol. Chem. 270:8298-8310) and would explain the specific changes in the regulation of the reporter gene constructs.

The signal transducing role of STAT3 was determined by using over-expression of STAT3_(—)55C, a mutant STAT3 with a 55 residue carboxy terminal truncation that acts as dominant negative inhibitor of STAT3 action on gene transcription. DNA binding assays such as those described in Section 11.2.1., supra, verified that the long form of ObR efficiently activated DNA binding activity of STAT3_(—)55C. STAT3_(—)55C essentially abolished the ObR mediated induction of IL-6RE and reduced that of HRRE by 50%. These data indicate that in the hepatic cells, ObR engages signal transduction pathways that are also utilized by the IL-6-type cytokine receptors and are sensitive to STAT3_(—)55C.

11.2.5. OBR Can Utilize Both STAT3 and STAT5B Gene Induction

Induction of the selected reporter gene constructs in HepG2 or H-35 cells is maximal and not significantly enhanced by over-expressed wild-type STAT proteins. To assess whether the STAT proteins activated by ObR play a positive mediator role, human Hep3B cells were transfected with human ObR together with either pIL-6RE-CAT or pHRRE-CAT, and the expression vector for the STAT proteins. Stimulation of CAT activity by human OB (100 ng/ml) relative to untreated control was determined (mean±S.D.; N=3 to 4). Those hepatoma cells have retained expression of functional IL-6R, but lack the receptors to other IL-6-type cytokines (Baumann et al., 1994, Mol. Cell. Biol. 14:138-146). Moreover, these cells have a relatively low level of STAT3 and STAT5, thus permitting testing of the signaling of ObR by gain of function through over-expression of STAT proteins. The results from these experiments indicate that overexpressed STAT3 mediated induction of IL-6RE 15-fold. Overexpressed STAT31 and STAT5B enhanced ObR mediated induction of HRRE-CAT 5-fold and 30-fold, respectively.

11.3. CONCLUSION

The results presented above document that full length ObR is a signal transducing receptor with a mode of action related to the IL-6-type cytokine receptors. The data also support the hypothesis that the truncated ObR variants, such as the short form expressed in many tissues or encoded by the db mutant transcript, are either signaling-incompetent or exert a reduced signaling repertoire that is not detectable by the tools applied here. The fact that reconstitution of an OB response is achieved at the level of gene expression in hepatic cells strongly suggests that an equivalent process may occur in hypothalamic cells or other cell types that normally express the full-length ObR. The link of ObR to specific signaling pathways utilizing STAT proteins and the knowledge of the specificity of these proteins to control genes through identifiable DNA binding elements may assist in identifying the immediate ObR effects that are relevant to understanding OB action in vivo. The experimental system presented above can also be used to address questions about the functional role, if any, of the naturally occurring short forms of ObR in functional regulation of the long form.

12. Mutational Analysis of OBR

In order to identify regions of the ObR cytoplasmic region important for activation of genes, a number of ObR mutants were created and analyzed. These studies, described below, identified two distinct regions of the ObR cytoplasmic domain important for induction of gene expression.

12.1Materials and Methods 12.1.1 Cells

COS-1, COS-7, and H-35 cells were cultured as described by Baumann et al., 1989, Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 557:280-297. Cells were mock stimulated in medium containing 0.5% fetal calf serum and 1 μM dexamethasone or treated in the same medium supplemented with 100 ng/ml human leptin (Roche), IL-6 (Genetics Institute), or G-CSF (Immunex Corp.).

12.1.2 Expression Vectors and Cat Reporter Gene Constructs

The expression vectors for the long form of human ObR are described above (Section 9) and rat STAT1, STAT3 and STAT5B have been described previously (Lai et al., 1995, J. Biol. Chem. 270:23254-23257; Ripperger et al., 1995, J. Biol. Chem. 270:29998-30006). pOB-R_(—)1115-1165, pOB-R_(—)1065-1165 and pOB-R_(—)965-1165, all encoding carboxy-terminal truncated human ObRs, were generated by PCR. Briefly, oligonucleotides spanning the intracellular domain of human ObR were used to generate in-frame stop codons 3′ to the specified amino acids. The PCR fragments were digested with EcoRV and XbaI and subcloned into human ObR that had been digested with EcoRV and XbaI. A similar strategy was used to generate pOB-R_(—)868 but with primers generating an MscI-XbaI fragment that replaced endogenous human ObR sequences. pOB-RY1141F, encoding human ObR with a mutated box 3 sequence was prepared as described in Section 11.1.2. ObR mutants pOB-R(box1mt), containing PNP to SNS changes in the ObR box 1 motif (aa 876 and 878), and mutants pOB-RY986F and pOB-RY1079F, were generated by overlap extension PCR using synthetic oligonucleotides encoding the specified Tyr to Phe amino acid substitutions (Higuchi et al., 1988, Nucleic Acids Res. 16:7351-7367). The CAT reporter gene constructs, pHRRE-CAT and pIL-6-CAT have been described previously (Lai et al., 1995, J. Biol. Chem. 270:23254-23257; Morella et al., 1995, J. Biol. Chem. 270:8298-8310).

12.1.3 Cell Transfection and Analysis

COS-1 and H-35 cells were transfected by the DEAE-dextran method (Lopata et al., 1984, Nucleic Acids Res. 12:5707-5717), and COS-7 cells by the lipofectamine method (Tartaglia et al., 1995, Cell 83:1263-1271). For analysis of STAT protein activation, COS cells were maintained for 16 hours in serum-free medium, followed by treatment of cells with 100 ng/ml leptin or G-CSF for 15 minutes.

For CAT assays, transfected cell cultures were subdivided and treated with ligands for 24 hours. CAT reporter activities were determined and are expressed relative to values obtained for untreated control cultures for each experimental series. DNA binding by STAT proteins was analyzed by electromobility shift assay (EMSA) using whole cell extracts as described by Sadowski et al. (1993, Science 26:1739-1744). Radiolabeled double stranded oligonucleotides SIEm67 (for STAT1 and STAT3) and TB-2 (for STAT5B) served as binding substrates in the EMSA. Receptor expression in COS cells was analyzed by quantitative cell surface binding of AP-OB fusion protein as described by Cheng and Flanagan (1994, Cell 79:157-168).

12.1.4 Immunoblotting

All immunoblotting was performed as described by Baumann et al. (1996, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 93:xxx-xxx) and immunoreactive proteins were visualized by enhanced chemiluminescence detection as described by the manufacturer (Amersham). Rabbit polyclonal antiserum specific for STAT5B was obtained from Santa Cruz Biotechnology.

12.2 Results and Discussion

As discussed above, ObR is a member of the class I cytokine receptor superfamily. Receptors of this class lack intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity and are activated by ligand-induced receptor homo-dimerization or hetero-dimerization. In many cases, activation requires activation of receptor-associated kinases of the Janus family (JAKs) (Ihle et al., 1994, Trends. Biol. Sci. 19:222-227). JAKs associate with the membrane-proximal domain of the intracellular part of the cytokine receptors, and serve to initiate signal transduction pathways following ligand induced receptor activation. Included among the downstream targets of the JAK proteins are members of the STAT (Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription) family of transcription factors (Ihle et al., 1994, Trends. Biol. Sci. 19:222-227). The STATs are DNA binding transcription factors that contain Src-homology (SH2) domains that interact with receptor molecules through phosphorylated tyrosine residues. STAT proteins are activated by tyrosine phosphorylation, form heterodimers or homodimers, translocate to the nucleus, and modulate transcription of target genes.

12.2.1 The OBR Intracellular Domain Includes at Least Two Regions Important for Signalling

To define regions of the ObR cytoplasmic domain required for signaling, a series of C-terminal deletion mutants were constructed (FIG. 11A). cDNAs encoding these mutants were transiently co-transfected into H-35 cells with either IL-6RE-CAT or HRRE-CAT reporter constructs and assayed for their ability to stimulate transcription (FIG. 11B). C-terminal truncations that remove box 3 sequences (aa 1141-1144) of ObR abolish transcriptional activation via IL-6-RE (FIG. 11B; upper panel). This result is consistent with the fact that a Y to F mutation in the single box 3 motif or ObR completely disrupts signaling in H-35 cells via IL-6RE (Section 11.2.4). In contrast, ObR signaling through HRRE was minimally reduced by removal of extreme C-terminal sequences and was not completely disrupted until removal of the approximately 97 amino acids between 868 and 965 (FIG. 11B).

To ensure that the expression vectors for the various ObR mutants directed the synthesis of surface localized receptor proteins, COS cells transfected with each construct were assayed for receptor expression by AP-OB binding studies. C-terminal truncations of ObR generate proteins that are expressed at the surface and bind ligand (FIG. 12). Moreover, the expression level of ObR increased with progressive truncation of the intracellular domain.

As discussed above, ObR gene induction via IL-6RE correlates with activation of STAT1 and STAT3 whereas ObR gene induction via HRRE was found to correlate with activation of STAT5B. To further evaluate the correlation between HRRE stimulation and STAT5B activation, COS cells were co-transfected with expression plasmids for STAT5B and the ObR deletion mutants. Immunoblotting performed on extracts prepared from these cells revealed that STAT5B was expressed at relatively equal amounts in each of the transfected cultures. Cells were treated with leptin. EMSA analysis was performed, and STAT protein levels were quantitated by Western blotting. Progressive C-terminal truncations of ObR result in a reduced ability to activate STAT5B and detectable STAT5B activation was lost only with removal of the membrane proximal ObR segment (construct pOBR_(—)868-1165). Thus, there appears to be a correlation between loss of ObR STAT5B activation and gene induction via HRRE.

To define the relative contribution of the conserved intracellular domain tyrosine residues and of the membrane proximal box 1 motif to signaling by ObR via HRRE, mutants OB-RY1141F, OB-RY986F, OB-RY1079F and OB-R(box 1mt) were generated (FIG. 13A). When analyzed in COS cells, AP-OB binding studies demonstrate that these mutants are expressed at the cell surface approximately as well as wild-type ObR. When transfected into H-35 cells, OB-RY986F and OB-RY1079F were unchanged in their ability to regulate HRRE (FIG. 13B). In contrast, mutation of the ObR box 1 motif results in a complete loss of regulation of gene induction through this element. Thus, the box 1 motif of ObR appears to be an important determining factor for the ability of ObR to activate pathways that can modulate gene induction via HRRE.

Gene induction by ObR through IL-6RE requires sequences near the extreme C-terminus of ObR (FIG. 11B). In contrast, ObR gene induction through HRRE does not appear to require these C-terminal sequences. Moreover, gene induction via this element is only minimally affected by removal of ObR intracellular domain sequences of approximately 200 amino acids between amino acids 965-1165 but is dependent upon membrane proximal sequences of the approximately 17 amino acids between amino acids 868 and 965. Consequently, the proposed box 2 motif of ObR (Lee et al., 1996, Nature 379:632-635) (human ObR aa 1066-1075) does not appear to contribute to gene induction through HRRE. EMSA analysis suggests gene induction of HRRE correlates with the ability of ObR to activate STAT5B. Interestingly, OB-R_(—)965-1165, which has been deleted of all intracellular domain tyrosine residues and therefore all potential SH2 docking sites, is still capable of low-level STAT5B activation and transcriptional stimulation through HRRE. Only when membrane proximal sequences of ObR are removed (OB-R_(—)868-1165), are both HRRE gene induction and STAT5B activation completely abolished. Consistent with this, OB-R (box-1mt), containing a mutated box 1 motif, is similarly unable to induce gene induction through HRRE and would be predicted to be unable to activate STAT5B.

13. Multimerization of OBR

The primary structure of ObR suggests that it is closely related to the signaling subunits of the IL-6-type cytokine receptors. Members of this group can be activated by either heterodimerization or homodimerization (Kishimoto et al., 1994, Cell 76:253-262; Heldin et al., 1995, Cell 80:213-223). Included among the former are the receptors for IL-6, leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), oncostatin M, IL-11, and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), all of which share the common signal transducer, gp130 (Kishimoto et al., 1994, Cell 76:253-262; Taga et al., 1989, Cell 58:573-581). However, ObR appears to signal independently of gp130 (Baumann et al., 1996, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93:xxx-xxx. Therefore, ObR may function in the presence of another accessory chain such as the common signaling subunit utilized by receptors for either IL-3, granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and IL5 (IL-3Rβ), or IL-2, IL-4, IL-7 and IL-9 (IL-2Rγ). However, ObR signals in hepatoma cells, which do not express either IL-3Rβ or IL-Ry (Wang et al., 1995, Blood 86:1671-1679; Morella et al., 1995, J. Biol. Chem. 270:8298-8310). Alternatively, ObR may be activated by homodimerization as is found for the granulocyte-colony stimulating factor receptor (G-CSFR) (Fukanaga et al., 1991, EMBO J. 10:2855-2865; Ishezaka-Ikeda et al., 1993, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90:123-127). Therefore, to determine whether ObR has the ability to dimerize and signal as a homodimer, chimeric receptors encoding the extracellular domain of G-CSFR joined to the intracellular domain of ObR or the reciprocal receptor having the extracellular domain of ObR joined to the intracellular domain of G-CSFR were constructed and analyzed (FIG. 14A).

13.1 Materials and Methods 13.1.1 Cells

COS-1, COS-7, and H-35 cells were cultured as described by Baumann et al., 1989, Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 557:280-297. Cells were mock stimulated in medium containing 0.5% fetal calf serum and 1 μM dexamethasone or treated in the same medium supplemented with 100 ng/ml human leptin (Roche), IL-6 (Genetics Institute), or G-CSF (Immunex Corp.).

13.1.2 Expression Vectors and Cat Reporter Gene Constructs

The expression vectors for the long form of human ObR are described above (Section 9), full-length G-CSFR or truncated G-CSFR(_cyto) (Ziegler et al., 1993, Mol. Cell. Biol. 13:2384-2390), and rat STAT1, STAT3 and STAT5B have been described previously (Lai et al., 1995, J. Biol. Chem. 270:23254-23257; Ripperger et al., 1995, J. Biol. Chem. 270:29998-30006). As used herein the term “_cyto” means deletion of the cytoplasmic domain. The G-CSFR/ObR chimeric receptor was generated by PCR and encodes the extracellular domain of human G-CSFR (aa 1-598) joined near the transmembrane and intracellular domain of human ObR (aa 829-1165). The ObR/G-CSFR chimeric receptor was generated by PCR and encodes the mouse ObR extracellular domain and transmembrane sequences (aa 1-860) joined to the intracellular domain of the human G-CSFR (aa 631-813). The CAT reporter gene constructs, pHRRE-CAT and pIL-6-CAT have been described previously (Lai et al., 1995, J. Biol. Chem. 270:23254-23257; Morella et al., 1995, J. Biol. Chem. 270:8298-8310).

13.1.3 Cell Transfection and Analysis

COS-1 and H-35 cells were transfected by the DEAE-dextran method (Lopata et al., 1984, Nucleic Acids Res. 12:5707-5717), and COS-7 cells were transfected by the lipofectamine method (Tartaglia et al., 1984, Cell 83:1263-1271). For analysis of STAT protein activation, COS cells were maintained for 16 hours in serum-free medium, followed by treatment of cells with 100 ng/ml leptin or G-CSF for 15 minutes.

For CAT assays, transfected cell cultures were subdivided and treated with ligands for 24 hours. CAT reporter activities were determined and are expressed relative to values obtained for untreated control cultures for each experimental series. DNA binding by STAT proteins was analyzed by electromobility shift assay (EMSA) using whole cell extracts as described by Sadowski et al. (1993, Science 26:1739-1744). Radiolabeled double stranded oligonucleotides SIEm67 (for STAT1 and STAT3) and TB-2 (for STAT5B) served as binding substrates in the EMSA. Receptor expression in COS cells was analyzed by quantitative cell surface binding of AP-OB fusion protein as described by Cheng and Flanagan (1994, Cell 79:157-168).

13.1.4 Immunoblotting

All immunoblotting was performed as described by Baumann et al. (1996, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93:xxx-xxx) and immunoreactive proteins were visualized by enhanced chemiluminescence detection as described by the manufacturer (Amersham). Rabbit polyclonal antiserum specific for STAT5B was obtained from Santa Cruz Biotechnology. Goat polyclonal antiserum against bacterially expressed extracellular domain of G-CSFR was prepared at Roswell Park Cancer Institute Springville Laboratories.

13.2 Results and Discussion

The experiments described below suggest that, while dimerization of the ObR cytoplasmic domain may be sufficient for signal transduction, higher order homo-oligomers can be formed in response to ligand binding.

13.2.1 Homodimerization Obr Intracellular Domains May be Sufficient for Signal Transduction

Since chimeric receptor complexes have proven quite productive for the analysis of the mechanism of cytokine receptor activation (Morella et al., 1995, J. Biol. Chem. 270:8298-8310; Vigon et al., 1993, Oncogene 8:2607-2615; Baumann et al., 1994, Mol. Cell. Biol. 14:138-146), ObR/G-CSFR and G-CSFR/ObR chimeras were produced and studied as a means to analyze the mechanism of ObR signaling (FIG. 14A). To analyze whether the G-CSFR/ObR chimeric receptor could propagate a ligand induced signal comparable to that for wild-type ObR, the chimera was tested for STAT activation and for transcriptional stimulation. Co-transfection of G-CSFR/ObR with STAT proteins yielded a G-CSF-induced activation of STAT1, STAT3, and STAT5B. This result is similar to the STAT protein activation induced by OB in ObR transfected cells (Section 12). Expression of the chimeric receptor was confirmed by immunoblot analysis of cultures transfected with G-CSFR/ObR. These results suggest that G-CSF mediated dimerization of ObR cytoplasmic domains can generate an ObR-type activation of STAT proteins. In addition, it was found that the G-CSFR/ObR chimera could stimulate transcription as detected by measurement of gene induction in H-35 cells following receptor co-transfection with the IL-6RE and HRRE reporter constructs (FIG. 14B). The response elicited was found to be similar to an induction of the reporter gene constructs by either ObR or endogenous IL-6R.

These results indicate that homodimerization of two ObR cytoplasmic domains can initiate signaling by ObR, similar to the mechanism mediating signaling by wild-type G-CSFR. However, the G-CSFR/ObR chimera could not definitively prove that OB ligand has the capability to dimerize ObR extracellular domains. Consequently, signaling activity by the reciprocal chimera, containing the ObR extracellular domain joined to the G-CSFR intracellular domain, was analyzed (FIG. 14A). Indeed, the ObR/G-CSFR chimera could mediate gene induction comparable to that by wild-type ObR, G-CSFR/ObR, and wild-type G-CSFR (FIG. 14B). Thus, taken together, these results suggest that ObR does not require an accessory chain for signaling, and that aggregation of two ObR intracellular domains appears sufficient for receptor activation.

The fact that aggregation of two ObR intracellular domains is sufficient to generate a signal following ligand-induced activation suggests that ObR may function by receptor homodimerization. If so, signaling by ObR might be “poisoned” by overexpression of a homodimerizing partner that is signaling deficient, similar to what has been shown for members of the receptor tyrosine kinase family (Paulson et al., 1989, J. Biol. Chem. 264:17615-17618; Svensson et al., 1990, J. Biol. Chem. 265:20863-20868; Wen et al., 1992, J. Biol. Chem. 267:2512-2518; Fantl et al., 1993, Annu. Rev. Biochem. 62:453-481). As discussed above (Section 12), ObR containing only the membrane proximal 6 amino acids of the cytoplasmic domain is signaling defective (FIG. 11B). Consequently, experiments were performed to determine whether expression of a truncated, signaling deficient ObR could disrupt signaling by full-length ObR. Cells were co-transfected with increasing amounts of truncated receptor OB-R_(—)868-1165 relative to full-length ObR and the ability of these complexes to stimulate expression of a reporter gene construct was assayed. Co-transfection of increasing amounts of truncated ObR does result in decreased signaling by wild-type receptor (FIG. 15A). However, even when there was a large excess of truncated receptor, relative to full-length receptor, the signaling repression observed did not approach the degree of reduction observed for repression of G-CSFR signaling by overexpressed and signaling-deficient truncated G-CSFR(_cyto) (FIG. 15A and FIG. 15C). The differing sensitivity to dominant negative repression observed for ObR and G-CSFR was a property of their extracellular domains as shown by dominant negative studies with the receptor chimeras (FIG. 15B and FIG. 15C).

A potential explanation for this weak dominant negative repression of ObR is that interaction of two ObR molecules may require functional domains residing in the intracellular region of the receptor. To address this possibility, the dominant negative repression of ObR by a mutant receptor rendered signaling defective by a single amino acid substitution (Y1141F) in the ObR box 3 motif was examined. As described above, this mutation completely abolished the ability of ObR to modulate gene induction via IL-6RE in H-35 cells (Section 12). Consequently, the ability of OB-R(Y1141F) to inhibit wild-type ObR signaling via this enhancer element was investigated. These studies revealed that increasing the ratio of transfected mutant OB-RY1141F to wild-type receptor did not strongly repress signaling (FIG. 15E). Thus, the ObR box 3 mutant and OB-R_(—)868-1165 behave similarly in their ability to trans-repress signaling by wild-type ObR. Interestingly, low level expression of either truncated or box 3 mutant ObR receptor generates a slight enhancement of signaling by wild-type ObR. Moreover, a similar pattern was also observed for ObR/G-CSFR signaling in the presence of increasing amounts of truncated OB-R_(—)868-1165 (FIGS. 15A, 15B, and 15C).

As discussed above (Section 11), ObR can signal in hepatoma cells in the presence of neutralizing antibodies to the gp130 signal transducing component of the IL-6-type cytokine receptors. Moreover, these hepatoma cells do not express the other characterized cytokine receptor accessory chains IL-2Rγ or IL-3Rβ (Wang et al., 1995, Blood 86:1671-1679; Morella et al., 1995, J. Biol. Chem. 270:8298-8310). Consequently, it is possible that ObR may function by a mechanism involving receptor homodimerization. Among members of the class I cytokine receptor family, signaling by the G-CSFR is predicted to be initiated by ligand-induced receptor homodimerization (Fukanaga et al., 1991, EMBO J. 10:2855-2865; Ishezaka-Ikeda et al., 1993, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90:123-127). As stated above, chimeric receptor complexes have proven quite productive for the analysis of the mechanism of cytokine receptor activation (Morella et al., 1995, supra; Vigon et al., 1993, supra; Baumann et al., 1994, supra), ObR/G-CSFR and G-CSFR/ObR chimeras were produced and studied as a means to analyze the mechanism of ObR signaling. These studies revealed that the G-CSFR/ObR chimera can strongly activate transcription of both the IL-6RE-CAT and HRRE-CAT reporter constructs (FIG. 14B). Since G-CSFR is thought to form a homodimer when G-CSF is bound, this implies that the aggregation of two intracellular ObR domains is sufficient to initiate receptor signaling. In a similar manner, the ObR/G-CSFR chimera also mediates transcriptional activation through IL-6RE and HRRE (FIG. 14B). These results show that leptin binding can dimerize two ObR extracellular chains thus inducing the association of at least two intracellular G-CSFR domains and activation of the receptor complex. Moreover, these results suggest that it may be possible to generate small molecules, peptides, or antibodies that act as ObR agonists through simple crosslinking of two ObR chains.

As would be predicted for receptors that are activated by simple homodimerization, signaling by full length G-CSFR and the G-CSFR/ObR chimera can be greatly diminished by co-expression of a signaling deficient homodimerizing partner. However, OB-R_(—)868-1165 was unable to as efficiently repress signaling by full-length ObR or the ObR/G-CSFR chimera. It is therefore possible that leptin binding to cell surface receptors can result in higher-order oligomerization (receptor number>2/complex) as has been shown for IL-10 receptor complexes (Tan et al., 1995, J. Biol. Chem. 21:12906-12911) and for members of the Activin/TGF-βR family (Brand et al., 1993, J. Biol. Chem. 268:11500-11503; Weiser et al., 1993, Mol. Cell. Biol. 13:7239-7247; Wrana et al., 1994, Cell 71:1003-1014; Moustakas et al., 1993, J. Biol. Chem. 268:22215-22218; Henis et al., 1994, J. Cell Biol. 126:139-154). According to this model, ligand binding by full-length ObR or ObR/G-CSFR chimera can lead to aggregation of more than two receptor chains, yet juxtaposition of only two intracellular domains is sufficient for signal generation. Such complexes would be predicted to be highly resistant to dominant negative repression. The strong repression of signaling by G-CSFR(_cyto) in complexes containing the G-CSFR/ObR chimera demonstrates that ObR intracellular domain can be efficiently repressed when placed in the context of a simple homodimer structure. Although it is possible that OB-R_(—)868-1165 localizes to a different region of the membrane than wild-type ObR, it is not likely that mutation of a single tyrosine residue of the ObR intracellular domain (Y1114F) would result in altered receptor membrane localization. Thus, the observation of similar repression effects mediated by either OB-R_(—)868-1165 or OB-RY1141F suggests the results described herein are not due to altered membrane localization. Low expression levels of either OB-R_(—)868-1165 and OB-RY1141F generate a small enhancement of signaling for full length ObR and the ObR/G-CSFR chimera. This effect could be attributable to either ligand presentation (Andres et al., 1989, J. Cell Biol. 109:3137-3145; Massaugue et al., 1992, Cell 69:1067-1070; Lin et al., 1993, Trends. Cell Biol. 3:14-19), or ligand passing as has previously been observed for the TNF receptor (Tartaglia et al., 1993, J. Biol. Chem. 268:18542-18548).

As noted above, it is possible that the short forms of ObR serve a transport or clearance function in the body (Tartaglia et al., 1995, Cell 83:1263-1271). However, the possiblity that the long and short forms of ObR can functionally interact suggests that the short form of ObR could regulate activities of the long form. This is supported by the fact that the major naturally occurring non-signalling short form of ObR in the mouse (containing a 34 amino acid intracellular domain), which also corresponds to the mutant ObR found in the db/db mouse, can repress long form receptor signaling.

14. A Cell-Based Assay for Identification of Agonists And Antagonists of the Ob Receptor Signalling Pathway

The following example describes methods for identifying compounds that can be used to treat a body weight disorder. This assay works by identifying compounds (e.g., small molecules, peptides, or antibodies) that function as either agonists or antagonists of the Ob receptor or of any other component of the pathway (e.g., a component of the Ob receptor signalling pathway described above) that is influenced by receptor binding. Compounds that are discovered by performing the assay described herein (or a variation thereof) are considered within the scope of the invention.

In this assay, cells that express the long form of the human or murine Ob receptor (or any other long form, i.e., signalling competent, mammalian Ob receptor and harbor a reporter construct that is responsive to activation of the Ob receptor by leptin are exposed to one or more test compounds in the presence of leptin. Compounds that act as antagonists of the Ob receptor activity will decrease expression of the reporter construct while compounds that act as agonists of the Ob receptor will increase expression of the reporter gene. In many instances, it is desirable to pool test compounds. Thus, 1,000 test compounds can be divided into 100 pools of 10 compounds. Each pool applied to cells which expressed Ob receptor and harbor an Ob receptor responsive reporter gene. The level of reporter gene expression is measured and compared to the expression level of otherwise identical cells which are not exposed to the pool of test compounds. The compounds in pools that alter reporter expression can then be tested individually.

Cell Culture and Transfection

Immortalized hypothalamic GnRH neurons (for a description of the production of the cell line, see Mellon et al., 1990, Neuron 5:1-10) are one type of cell which can be used in this assay. In one example of the screening assay, these cells are plated on 96-well plates, cultured until they were approximately 70% confluent, and transfected with a cDNA encoding the long form of the murine or the human Ob receptor (Tartaglia, J. Biol. Chem. 272:6093-6096, 1997; the long form of the murine Ob receptor is shown in FIG. 7 (SEQ ID NO:43 and the long form of the human Ob receptor, including the signal sequence, is shown in FIG. 3 (SEQ ID NO:4)) and a cDNA reporter construct. The reporter construct contains a sequence encoding a secreted form of alkaline phosphatase (SEAP; Clontech), which is placed under the control of the Ob Receptor responsive promoter element, IL-6 RE (described above). The constructs are transfected into the cells using Lipofectamine™ (Life Technologies, Gaithersburg, Md.), according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Contacting Cells with Leptin or Potential Agonists or Potential Antagonists of Ob Receptor Activity

Forty-eight hours after transfection, the cultured cells are washed twice with serum-free medium, and contacted with either: (1) leptin alone, at a concentration that does not produce maximal stimulation of the receptor (as a control), or (2) leptin, at the same concentration as applied to the control cells, and one or more test compounds, e.g., a small molecule library (as the experimental group). In both instances, leptin and the compounds are applied to the cells in non-supplemented culture medium. Twenty-four hours later, 100 μl of culture medium are removed, and SEAP activity is assessed by measuring chemiluminescence with the Great Escape™ alkaline phosphatase detection kit. The kit is manufactured by Clontech (Palo Alto, Calif.), and is used according to their directions. Luminescence values are measured using a Microbeta plus™ liquid scintillation counter (Wallac), and can be expressed as arbitrary units of luminescence activity.

An increase in the activity of the reporter in the presence of a test compound, compared with activity in the absence of a test compound, indicates the presence of an agonist of Ob receptor activity. Conversely, a decrease in the activity of the reporter in the presence of a test compound (compared with activity in the absence of a test compound), indicates the presence of an antagonist of Ob receptor activity.

The agonist or antagonist may act at any point in the signalling pathway between binding of leptin to Ob receptor and expression of the reporter gene. Thus, the screening method is broadly useful for indentifying compounds that alter signalling components of the Ob receptor pathway.

Modifications of the assay described above will be apparent to those of skill in the art. For example, it will be apparent that any molecule that activates the Ob receptor or the Ob receptor pathway can be used in the assay described above in the place of leptin; for example, one could use a fragment of the leptin molecule that retains the ability to bind to and activate the Ob receptor. Alternatively, antibodies may be used to activate the receptor. Similarly, when screening compounds for their ability to activate the Ob receptor (i.e., when searching for receptor agonists), the assay can be carried out in the absence of leptin. In this case, the expression of the reporter construct can simply be compared in cells that are exposed to a putative agonist (i.e., cells that are “treated”) and cells that are not (i.e., cells that are “untreated”). In addition, the cell can be a cell that naturally expresses an Ob receptor or that is stably transfected with an Ob receptor-encoding sequence. In events such as these, the assay can be performed by introducing only a reporter construct into the cell.

In addition to the IL-6 RE, the assay can be conducted using a reporter gene that is driven by HRRE (an HRRE-CAT reporter construct is described above). Furthermore, the reporter gene itself can vary; reporter genes commonly used by those of skill in the art include β-lactamase, chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT), adenosine deaminase (ADA), aminoglycoside phosphotransferase (neo^(r), G418^(r)), dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), hygromycin-B-phosphotransferase (HPH), thymidine kinase (TK), lacZ (encoding β-galactosidase), and xanthine guaninephosphoribosyltransferase (XGPRT).

To determine whether the agonist or antagonist is specific for the receptor itself, a population of cells can be co-transfected as described above, except with a reporter construct and a construct that encodes a receptor that is related to the Ob receptor by sequence homology, such as a human G-CSF receptor. As discussed above, the Ob receptor of the invention has amino acid sequence motifs found in the Class I cytokine receptor family, and is most related to the gp130 signal transducing component of the IL-6 receptor, the G-CSF receptor, and the LIF receptor. If the activity remains essentially the same as that observed following co-transfection with the reporter construct and a construct encoding an Ob receptor, the agonist or antagonist is exerting a non-specific effect (i.e., the compound is not specific to only the Ob receptor).

Similarly, one can determine whether the agonist or antagonist is interacting with a component of the signalling pathway downstream from the Ob receptor (rather than interacting with the receptor itself) by co-transfecting cells with the reporter construct and a construct that encodes a chimeric polypeptide consisting of the extracellular domain of the Ob receptor and an intracellular domain of G-CSF. If the activity of the reporter is decreased or increased in cells transfected with the chimera, the respective agonist or antagonist is not specific for the Ob receptor pathway.

Accordingly, the invention features methods for identifying a compound useful for the treatment of a body weight disorder. One method is performed by contacting a compound with a cell that contains a reporter gene whose expressing is altered as a consequence of activation of the Ob receptor. An increase or decrease in expression of the reporter gene indicates the presence of a compound that alters activity of the Ob receptor signallilng pathway, and which is therefore a candidate therapeutic agent for treatment of a body weight disorder. A second method can be performed by contacting a cell comprising a reporter gene that is expressed following activation of the Ob receptor with (a) the compound, and (b) an agonist of the Ob receptor. In this case, a decrease in expression of the reporter gene, relative to the level of expression when only the agonist is applied, indicates the presence of a compound that antagonizes the Ob receptor, and which is therefore a candidate therapeutic agent for treatment of a body weight disorder. Alternatively, the effect of the compound on reporter gene expression in the presence of an agnoist of the Ob receptor (e.g., leptin) can be measured).

15. Administration of an OBR-Ig Fusion Protein Increases Food Intake

To determine whether an ObR-Ig fusion protein is active when administered to animals (i.e., whether it can alter food intake), a chimeric protein containing the murine Ob receptor and an immunoglobulin protein was injected into normal mice and mice that developed anorexia following treatment with endotoxin. This model is described in Grunfeld et al., 1997, J. Clin Invest. 97:2152-2157. For guidance in the construction of ObR-immunoglobulin fusion proteins, see Example 10, supra.

Male C57BL/6J mice (14-16 weeks of age) were housed in metabolic cages (2 mice/cage) and provided with standard laboratory rodent chow. The animals were allowed to adapt to their environment for several days before beginning the experiment. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (E. coli 055:B5) was freshly prepared in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) at a dose of 10 μg/mouse. The Ob receptor-IgG fusion protein was also prepared in PBS and injected intravenously at a dose of 150 μg/mouse. In one group of animals, both LPS and the Ob receptor-IgG fusion protein were administered. In this group, the fusion protein was administered twice; at the same time the LPS was administered, and 24 hours later. Food intake was monitored every 24 hours for 4 days by weighing the amount of food remaining in the cage. The results are shown in FIG. 16, where each data point represents the average food intake of animals in each group. Food intake by mice that received the Ob receptor-Ig fusion protein was greater than the food intake by mice that received PBS. In addition, LPS treated mice that also received the Ob receptor-Ig fusion protein had a greater food intake than mice that received LPS alone: 72 hours after LPS administration, the mice that also received the Ob receptor-Ig fusion protein were eating nearly as well as the control (PBS treated) mice, whereas animals that received LPS without the Ob receptor-Ig fusion protein still exhibited a 50% reduction in food intake. Therefore, administration of an ObR-Ig fusion protein has been demonstrated to modulate food intake in vivo in both normal and anorexic mammals.

16. SOCS-1 Interacts with JAK-2 and Inhibits ObR Signaling

A yeast two hybrid screen was used to identify proteins that interact with the JH1 domain of JAK2, a protein which interacts with ObR. The identification of proteins which interact with JAK2 is important because such proteins are likely to play a role in signal transduction initiated by the binding of leptin to ObR. The JH1 domain of JAK2 is of particular interest because it is the most C-terminal domain of JAK2 that possesses kinase activity. The results presented in these examples demonstrate that: 1) that two forms of SOCS-1 interact with JAK2; and 2) the expression of SOCS-1 in cells expressing ObR can inhibit ObR mediated signaling.

16.1 Materials and Methods 16.1.1 Cells

Yeast strain HF7c (MATa, ura3-52, his3-200, lys2-801, ade2-101, trp1-901, leu2-3, 112, gal4-542, gal80-538, LYS2::GAL1_(UAS)-GAL1_(TATA)-HIS3, URA3::GAL4_(17mers(x3))-CYC1_(TATA)-lacZ; Feilotter et al., 1994, Nucl. Acids Res. 22:1502-1503) was used in the yeast two hybrid screen. Standard yeast media including synthetic complete medium lacking L-leucine, L-tryptophan, and L-histidine were prepared and yeast genetic manipulations were performed as described by Sherman (1991, Meth. Enzymol. 194:3-21). Yeast transformations were performed using standard protocols (Gietz et al., 1992, Nucleic Acids Res. 20:1425; Ito et al., 1983, J. Bacteriol. 153:163-168). Plasmid DNAs were isolated from yeast strains using standard techniques (Hoffman and Winston, 1987, Gene, 57:267-272).

16.1.2 Plasmids

Plasmid pGBT9, a TRP1 amp^(r) vector encoding the DNA binding domain of GAL4 (amino acids 1-147; Bartel et al., 1993, Cellular Interactions in Development _(—):153-159.), was used to create a plasmid, pRG54, which encodes a GAL4 DNA binding domain-JAK2 JH1 domain hybrid protein. To create pRG54, DNA encoding amino acids 839-1129 of murine JAK2 (Silvennoinen et al., 1993, Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA, 90:8429-8433) was amplified by PCR and cloned in frame to the portion of pGBT9 encoding the DNA binding domain of GAL4. Plasmid pRG54 was transformed into two-hybrid screening strain HF7c for screening. Plasmid pACTII, which encodes the activation domain of GAL4 (amino acids 768-881), was used to generate the library used in the two hybrid screen.

Plasmid pMET7, a mammalian expression vector which utilizes the SRα promoter (Tartaglia et al., 1995, Cell 83:1263-1271), was used to create plasmid pMET7-SOCS1, a plasmid used to express a portion of murine SOCS-1b, described in greater detail below.

Plasmid pMET7-H60, which encodes the long form of human ObR (Tartaglia et al. (1995) Cell 83:1263-1271), and the STAT-responsive reporter gene construct pIL6RE-SEAP (White et al., 1997, J. Biol. Chem. 272:4065-4071) have been described previously.

16.1.3 Two-Hybrid Screening

Two-hybrid screening was carried out essentially as described by Bartel et al. (1993, Cellular Interactions in Development. _(—):153-159.). Briefly, by inserting murine hypothalmic cDNA adjacent to the DNA sequence within pACTII that encodes the GAL4 activation domain, library of hybrid proteins was created. Approximately 10⁷ clones from this library were screened by first selecting for clones which are able to grow on synthetic complete medium lacking L-leucine, L-tryptophan, and L-histidine and then using a filter disk beta-galactosidase (beta-gal) assay (Brill et al., 1994, Mol. Biol. Cell, 5:297-312) to identify clones which encoded potential interacting proteins. Colonies to be tested were grown as patches of cells on appropriate medium at 30° C. overnight and then replica plated onto Whatman #50 paper (Schleicher & Schuell, #576) that had been placed on the test medium in petri dishes. After growth overnight at 30° C., the paper disks were removed from the plates and the cells on them were permeabilized by immediately immersing the paper disks in liquid nitrogen for 30 seconds. The disks were then thawed at room temperature for 20 seconds and placed in petri dishes that contained a disk of Whatman #3 paper (Schleicher & Schuell, #593) saturated with 2.5 ml of Z buffer containing 37 μl of 2% weight per volume of the chromogenic beta-gal substrate X-gal. The disks were incubated at 30° C. and inspected periodically for the development of the blue color diagnostic of beta-gal activity in this assay. The assay was stopped by removing the paper disk containing the patches of cells and air drying it.

16.1.4 ObR Signaling Assay

The 293 cells were used in the ObR signaling assay. These cells were grown in DMEM supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum. Transfections were carried out using lipofectamine (Gibco/BRL; Gaithersburg, Md.). For the activity assays, cells were transfected with 1 μg of the pIL6RE-SEAP reporter plasmid, 3 μg of pMET7-H60 encoding ObR receptor, and 3 μg of pMET7-SOCS1 encoding SOCS-1, as indicated. Forty eight hours after transfection the cells were washed twice with serum-free medium and then treated with leptin for 24 h in non-supplemented cell culture medium. SEAP reporter activity was measured as previously described (White et al., 1997, Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA, 94:10657-10662).

16.2 Results and Discussion 16.2.1 Two Forms of SOCS-1 Interacts with the JH1 Domain of JAK2

To identify proteins which are part of the ObR signaling pathway, a yeast two hybrid system was used to identify proteins that interact with the JH1 domain of JAK2.

DNA encoding the JH1 domain of murine JAK2 (amino acids 839-1129) was cloned into pGBT9 to create a plasmid, pRG54, encoding a GAL4 DNA-binding domain-JAK2 fusion gene. Yeast HF7c cells transformed with this construct grew on synthetic complete medium lacking L-tryptophan, but did not grow on synthetic complete medium lacking L-tryptophan and L-histidine. This demonstrates that the GAL4 DNA-binding domain-JAK2 fusion does not have intrinsic transcriptional activation activity.

HF7c cells harboring pRG54 and a beta-galactosidase reporter under the control of GAL4 DNA-binding recognition elements were transformed with a library of clones composed of mouse hypothalamic cDNA fused to DNA encoding the activation domain of GAL4. Ten million transformants were obtained. In this screen, clones which contain a mouse cDNA encoding a polypeptide that interacts with the JH1 domain of JAK2 will both grow on synthetic complete medium lacking L-leucine, L-tryptophan, and L-histidine and express the beta-galactosidase reporter gene. Seventy nine such clones were identified, and 39 of these colones were characterized further.

The 5′ end of the cDNA insert of each of the 39 clones encoding potential JAK2 interacting proteins was sequenced. This sequencing revealed that the cDNA inserts of eight of the 39 clones (clones 11, 12, 18, 32, 50, 77, 102, and 115) encoded a portion of murine SOCS-1. The genomic sequence of murine SOCS-1 has been published (Schluter et al., 1996, Mol. Reprod. Dev. 43:1-6; Genbank Accession No. Z47352). The sequence of the 5′ end of the inserts of clones 11, 12, 18, 32, 50, 77, 102, and 115 are included in Table 1. The nucleotide numbers in Table 1 refer to the genomic SOCS-1 sequence (Genbank Accession No. Z47352). TABLE 1 SOCS-1 clones Clone 5′ Fusion junction SOCS-1 Splice Form 11 12319-12679 SOCS-1b 12 12319-12739 SOCS-1b 18 11873-11957/12467-12827 SOCS-1a 32 11873-11957/12467-12857 SOCS-1a 50 11873-11957/12467-12847 SOCS-1a 77 11873-11957/12467-12827 SOCS-1a 102 12478-12838 — 115 11877-11957/12467/12847 SOCS-1a Analysis of the fusion junctions and the clones revealed that the various clones represented two apparent splice variants of murine SOCS-1 (SOCS-1a and SOCS-1b).

SOCS-1a clones contain nucleotides 11873-11957 of the previously identified SOCS-1 genomic clone followed by sequences starting at nucleotide 12467 of the genomic SOCS-1 clone. SOCS-1a is most likely a product of splicing an intron between nucleotide 11957 and 12467 of the SOCS-1 genomic clone. Consensus splice donor and acceptor sites are present at nucleotides 1158/9 and 12465-7. The SOCS-1b clones begin at nucleotide 12419 of the published genomic sequence, a region that falls within the SOCS-1a intron. Neither the SOCS-1a nor the SOCS-1b clones contain an stop codon upstream of the published SOCS-1 open reading frame, allowing a read-through from the GAL4 activation domain encoding sequences into the SOCS-1 open reading frame. Various SOCS-1 clones have been previously identified (Naka et al. (1997) Nature 387:924-929; Starr et al. (1997) Nature 387:917-921; and Endo et al. (1997) Nature 387:921-924) but the existence of alternate splice forms does not appear to have been recognized.

Co-transformation of clone 11 (which includes has sequences present in SOCS-1b) or clone 102 (which includes sequences present in both SOCS-1a and SOCS-1b) both of which encode a fusion protein comprising a portion of SOCS-1a into yeast HF7c cells along with pGBT9, which encodes the GAL4 DNA-binding domain alone, or pRG54, which encodes the GAL4 DNA binding domain fused to the JAK2 JH1 domain, revealed that both clone 11 and clone 102 encode polypeptides which interact with the JH1 domain of JAK2, but not the unrelated GAL4 DNA binding domain.

16.2.4 Tissue Distribution of SOCS-1

To determine the relative abundance and tissue distribution of SOCS-1a and SOCS-1b, a poly A⁺ mRNA Northern blot was analyzed with two different probes. The first probe, which corresponds to nucleotides 12146-12464 of murine genomic SOCS-1, was designed to recognize SOCS-1b, but not SOCS-1a (the “SOCS-1b probe”). The second probe, which corresponds to nucleotides 13228-13504 of murine genomic SOCS-1, recognizes a 3′ untranslated region common to both SOCS-1a and SOCS-1b (the “SOCS-1a/SOCS-1b probe”).

Both the SOCS-1b probe and the SOCS-1a/SOCS-1b probe hybridized to a 1.8 kb transcript that was most abundant in spleen and lung. The 1.8 kb transcript was also observed in all other tissues examined (heart, brain, liver, muscle, kidney and testis). The SOCS-1a/SOCS-1b probe, but not the SOCS-1b probe, hybridized to a 1.4 kb transcript that was most abundant in spleen and lung. The 1.4 kb transcript was present at lower levels in all other tissues examined (heart, brain, liver, muscle, kidney and testis). In blots probed with the SOCS-1a/SOCS-1b probe, the 1.4 kb transcript was much more abundant than the 1.8 kb transcript in all tissues examined. These results suggest that the sizes of the SOCS-1a and SOCS-1b transcripts are 1.4 kb and 1.8 kb respectively, and that there are no apparent differences between tissues with respect to the relative amounts of the two transcripts.

16.2.5 SOCS-1 Inhibits ObR-Mediated Signaling

To determine whether SOCS-1 can inhibit ObR-mediated signaling by leptin, 293 cells were cotransfected with a reporter plasmid that is responsive to STAT activation (pIL6-RE-SEAP) and either: 1) a plasmid which expresses the long form of human ObR; or 2) a plasmid which expresses the long form of human ObR and a plasmid which expresses a portion of SOCS-1b (nucleotides 12506-13411 of the murine SOCS-1 genomic clone; corresponds to the SOCS-1b portion of clone 11 in Table 1) The transfected cells were stimulated with 100 ng/ml leptin for 24 hours. After leptin stimulation, the activity of the pIL-6RE-SEAP reporter was determined by measuring the amount of alkaline phosphatase secreted into the medium.

Measurement of reporter activity demonstrated that, in the presence of leptin, expression of the STAT responsive reporter was increased eight-fold when ObR was also expressed by the cells. However, no activation of the STAT responsive reporter was observed occurred when the cells expressed both ObR and SOCS-1.

Because SOCS-1 inhibits ObR signalling, it may be possible to modulate ObR activity by modulating the expression or activity of SOCS-1 or by modulating the binding of SOCS-1 to JAK2. In addition, one can use SOCS-1 to identify candidate therapeutic compounds which alter the expression or activity of SOCS-1.

One can identify candidate therapeutic compounds for the treatment of a body weight disorder by providing a cell which expresses a mammalian Ob receptor protein, a mammalian JAK2 protein, and a mammalian SOCS-1 protein, and which contains a reporter construct which includes a sequence encoding a detectable protein operably linked to an Ob receptor responsive regulatory element; contacting the cell with a test compound; measuring the expression of the detectable protein in the presence of the test compound; and identifying those agents which cause an increase or a decrease in the expression of the detectable protein. One can also identify candidate therapeutic compounds for the treatment of a body weight disorder by: contacting a protein comprising an Ob receptor protein cytoplasmic domain with a polypeptide which includes the JH1 domain of a mammalian JAK2 protein, a mammalian SOCS-1 protein, and a test compound; measuring the binding of the JH1 domain polypeptide to the SOCS-1 protein in the presence of the test compound; and identifying agents which increase or a decrease in the binding of the JH1 domain polypeptide to SOCS-1.

17. Deposit of Microorganisms

The following microorganisms were deposited with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), Rockville, Md., on the dates indicated and were assigned the indicated accession number: ATCC Date Microorganism Clone Access. No. of Deposit E. coli strain 5312B4F3 famj5312 69952 Nov. 22, 1995 E. coli h-ObRD fahj5312d 69963 Dec. 5, 1995 E. Coli h-ObR-p87 h-ObR-p87 69972 Dec. 28, 1995

The present invention is not to be limited in scope by the specific embodiments described herein, which are intended as single illustrations of individual aspects of the invention, and functionally equivalent methods and components are within the scope of the invention. Indeed, various modifications of the invention, in addition to those shown and described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description and accompanying drawings. Such modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. 

1-3. (canceled)
 4. A method for diagnosing body weight disorders in a mammal, the method comprising measuring obR gene expression in a biological sample obtained from the mammal.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein expression is measured by detecting mRNA transcripts of the obR gene.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein expression is measured by detecting the obR gene product.
 7. A method for diagnosing body weight disorders in a mammal, the method comprising detecting an obR gene mutation contained in the genome of the mammal. 